New Beginnings

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Kansas' AA programs provide structured guidance through available 12 Steps and Traditions programs. These programs provide essential support for those seeking sobriety. Meetings welcome individuals and their loved ones, offer a supportive network for recovery, and establish skills that translate to lasting sobriety.

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.

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.

Grapevine: Grapevine is a monthly magazine published by AA. Its contents, written by AA members, generally feature the experiences of individuals with alcohol use disorder, and articles are often discussed in AA meetings.

Living Sober: AA centers may have selected sessions set aside for Living Sober discussions. This text is secular in nature, and focuses on practical ways that members have used to stay sober one day at a time.

Newcomer: AA newcomer meetings in Kansas are designed to introduce the program to people who are seeking help for alcohol addiction. Experienced members typically lead the sessions, which often focus on Steps 1 through 3 of AA’s 12 step recovery model.

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.

Wheelchair Access: Kansas AA meetings with wheelchair access may feature ramps and designated parking for non-ambulatory clients. These clients can safely navigate the center to access meeting spaces and amenities.

Wheelchair-Accessible Bathroom: Selected AA centers offer wheelchair-accessible bathrooms for participants. These bathrooms have enough space for a wheelchair to safely navigate, and can include private stalls with guardrails, reachable toilet paper and seat cover dispensers, a wash basin, and other amenities.