What Happens At AA Meetings?
AA meetings are held throughout the world in two main forms, these are open or closed meetings. At an open meeting, families or friends of alcoholics may attend, at closed meetings the only people who can attend are alcoholics. Anonymity is the key to AA meetings and people who are alcoholics will come together to share experiences and try to help and support each other in remaining sober and living without alcohol. Only first names are used. Alcoholic Anonymous have a 12 step programme, which is central to all branches, but often the structure varies according to each particular group. People attending the closed meetings will talk about their relationship with alcohol or what made them drink, what makes them want to drink and how they are managing their sobriety. All people attending are actively discouraged from judging or condemning and encouraged to simply accept and support. Open meetings often have a guest speaker with the subject still relating to alcoholism.
