AA "Welcome Home" Alcoholics Anonymous Womens Only Meeting

UPDATE, 10/1/21 - MEETINGS ARE NOW LIVE!

What can you expect when you attend a 12-step or Alcoholics Anonymous meeting? If you've never attended one, you likely have fears and reservations.

Common Myths and Preconceptions
These things you may think happen at 12-step meetings, but may by myths rather than typical occurrences.

You have to stand up and say, "I am an alcoholic."
You have to talk in the meeting.
You have to participate in group hugs.
You have to pray.
You are joining a cult.

How It Works
What is the reality for most meetings? The meeting might be held in a building connected with a church or a community center. You arrive to find most of the people you see are there for the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting outside socializing. Inside of the room they may be setting books out for those who do not have their own or setting up the coffee station.

You take a seat anywhere you feel most comfortable and as people pass by, some say hello, some nod, some stop and introduce themselves, and some keep to themselves.

One or two people sit in the front of the room at a table. He/she are the meeting chairperson(s) for that particular day and will lead the meeting. They may ask you to read from an AA literature handout, but you are welcome to decline.

The meeting begins with the chairperson reading the AA Preamble, then leading a group prayer, the Serenity Prayer (short version). Afterward, different members of the meeting read brief AA literature.

The chairperson(s) asks if there are any newcomers, or first-timers, attending the meeting who would like to introduce themselves by their first name. It is not required to introduce yourself as a newcomer if you are not comfortable yet.

Sharing Experience, Strength, and Hope
Different meetings have different ways of doing things but for the most part, they run the same. During the meeting, people simply begin sharing. In some meetings, people are randomly called on. Speaker's meetings feature a person chosen to talk about their experience, strength, and hope in regards to their recovery. Each starts off by introducing themselves as, "Hello, my name is (first name) and I'm an alcoholic." Everyone responds with, "Hello (first name)!" After they complete their share everyone in the room thanks them. Then the next person can speak up.

After everyone completes sharing, the chairperson asks if there are any AA-related announcements. Then they announce that it is time for the Lord's Prayer, and everyone stands in a large circle, holding hands, and recites the prayer. You do not have to participate in the prayer. Once the prayer is over, the meeting ends.

After the Meeting
You are free to leave if you don't want to socialize. People will socialize after meetings. Some may introduce themselves to you and may ask questions, especially if you introduced yourself as a newcomer.

One member, Barb M., relates that the thing she was most relieved about was the non-imposing feel that she got when she first began attending meetings. "No one bombarded me with his or her religious slogans, no one pestered me to hold hands and pray, no one cared if I sat in the back or sat in the front, drank coffee or didn't drink coffee, helped clean up or ran off before the meeting ended."

The only set rules are those of common respect which may include: Try to be on time. No smoking. No cross-talk during shares. Have court vouchers signed at the end of a meeting.

The Helping Hand of AA
One common practice is that when you introduce yourself to the group as a newcomer and an alcoholic, you may receive a number list with the names and numbers of people who you can call, if you feel the need to drink and need help. People who put their number in this book do so because they really do want to help. It isn't required of anyone to do so but it keeps with the tradition of AA that when alcoholic calls for help, the helping hand of AA will be there.