Candlelight Group

Types of AA Meetings

Candlelight: Candlelight AA meetings are sessions in which members bring candles, usually white, that represent their hopes and goals. When each member shares, that member lights their candles as they discuss their challenges and successes.

Daily Reflections: Daily Reflections is an AA text that compiles insight, experience, and encouragement from various members. Selected contents may be topics of discussions in AA meetings. Members can also adapt reflections into their daily activities.

Discussion: In New Mexico, AA discussion meetings are conversational in nature. Leaders will choose a central theme to discuss, often pulling inspiration from an AA text, such as As Bill Sees It. They’ll share their personal insights first, then allow others to do the same.

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.

Newcomer: In New Mexico, AA newcomer meetings help individuals understand how AA works and what to expect from the 12 step recovery model. These meetings are informative in nature and will usually include an overview of the first three steps in the program.

Open: In New Mexico, open AA meetings are available to anyone from the public who wants to attend. Members can share their stories and alcohol addiction recovery journeys, offering a look into how the program works and what the 12 step recovery model includes. Alcoholics and nonalcoholics are welcome.

Step Meeting: New Mexico AA programs often feature step meetings. Here, the group read and discuss excerpts from 12 Step Program literature and relate the texts to their own recovery. Members recommend goals to make their recovery stronger in the future.

Tradition Study: Tradition Study sessions are AA reflections about the organization. Members discuss how AA chapters can be more successful in their purpose through greater unity and its outreach programs.