Early Sobriety Group

Types of AA Meetings

Big Book: AA programs in Pennsylvania often feature the Big Book in discussions. Clients find inspiration from the lives of real people 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: In Pennsylvania, closed AA meetings are not open to general members of the community. The only people who may attend are members of AA and individuals who know they have a drinking problem and want to find help.

Discussion: AA discussion meetings in Pennsylvania are structured around a central topic related to alcoholism and recovery. After opening the meeting and sharing the topic, leaders may share briefly from a related AA text. Then, they’ll add their own insights and encourage others to participate in the conversation.

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.

Open: In Pennsylvania, open AA meetings are accessible to all local community members who want a firsthand look into how the program operates and what the 12 strep recovery model includes. This may include individuals looking for help with alcohol addiction as well as their supporters.

Speaker: In Pennsylvania, speakers assist AA members by appealing to them to resist relapse. Speakers tend to use a blend of humor, reason, faith, raw emotions, and charm to dissuade members from drinking.

Step Meeting: Step meetings are part of the 12 Step Program in Pennsylvania AA centers. Groups read AA texts like Twelve Steps, discuss how the passages fit their experience, and come up with goals to improve their recovery in the next meeting.

Wheelchair Access: In Pennsylvania, non-ambulatory clients can have wheelchair access to participate in their AA meetings. Features include exterior ramps, designated parking, and open floor spaces to meeting halls, restrooms, and amenities.