12 Steps Group

Types of AA Meetings

Closed: In Alabama, closed AA meetings are not open to the general public. Only AA members or individuals seeking help for alcohol addiction can attend. This allows members to expand upon certain phases of their condition that other alcoholics can best understand. All members are encouraged to participate and the meetings are informal.

Discussion: In Alabama, AA discussion meetings begin with an AA member selecting a topic for group discussion. This topic will come from a type of AA text such as the Big Book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, AA Grapevine, and others. The member will usually share first before opening the floor for others to participate.

Newcomer: AA newcomer meetings in Alabama are designed to help individuals who are new to AA understand the program. Experienced members usually lead the meetings, which may be discussion-based or focused specifically on the first three steps of the 12 step recovery model.

Step Meeting: Step meetings in Alabama AA centers revolve around the 12 Steps of recovery. AA members read passages from The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, discuss its meanings, and relate it to their progress.