Leavenworth Group #1

Types of AA Meetings

Big Book: In Kansas, AA clients participate in Big Book discussions for inspiration. The Big Book is an anthology that features men and women who overcame alcohol use disorder.

Child-Friendly: Child-friendly AA meetings allow each member to bring up to one child to the meeting, with the expectation that the discussion will not feature experiences or language that are inappropriate for the child. Formal childcare may not be available, but the member can watch over her child while participating in the discussion.

Closed: Closed AA meetings in Kansas are not open to members of the general community. Only members and people seeking help for alcohol addiction can attend. The discussions are informal and everyone is invited to share their experiences with alcoholism and recovery.

Discussion: In Kansas, AA discussion meetings are structured around a specific topic that relates to alcohol addiction. Typically, the speaker will choose a short passage from a related AA text, such as the Big Book, and then briefly share their reflections. Then, other members can reflect on the topic and share their insights.

Men: Kansas offers select AA centers that are designated only for men impacted by alcohol use disorder. In these meetings, men of all ages participate in 12 Step Programs that focus on issues pertaining to their recovery.

Open: In Kansas, open AA meetings are accessible to anyone in the public who wants to learn more about how the recovery program works and what the 12 step model of recovery includes. This may include individuals currently seeking help for alcohol addiction, as well as their friends and loved ones.

Speaker: Motivational speakers can help AA audiences reinforce their sobriety. In Kansas, many Speakers are usually AA alumni and use a mix of humor, charm, faith, and raw emotions to connect with participants.

Women: Women’s AA meetings in Kansas are community support meetings for women who are affected by alcoholism, including those who are addicted to alcohol and those who have loved ones with alcohol addiction. Held at various neighborhood locations, these meetings use a 12-step addiction recovery curriculum and are free to attend.