Evans Avenue Club – Chicago

Types of AA Meetings

Big Book: In Illinois, AA meetings often feature discussions centered on the Big Book. Clients read this collection of stories about men and women who overcame alcohol use disorder for inspiration.

Closed: Closed AA meetings in Illinois are not open to outside observers. Instead, only AA members or individuals looking for help with a drinking problem are invited to attend. The discussions center around topics related to alcoholism and recovery and are of particular value to newcomers.

Digital Basket: AA chapters may have a digital basket, which is a virtual collections plate for members to donate funds to pay for the chapter’s expenses. The virtual basket may accept various online payment services, such as PayPal, Google Pay, Stripe, and Venmo.

Discussion: AA discussion meetings in Illinois allow members to reflect upon and discuss a specific aspect of alcohol addiction and recovery. The leader will usually begin the meeting by referencing an AA text, such as Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Then, they will invite others to share.

Literature: Literature-centric AA meetings in Illinois are peer support meetings for people who are impacted by alcohol addiction. These group meetings focus on studying AA literature, such as the Big Book of AA and AA workbooks. The 12 step-based sessions are free and open to all ages and genders.

Open: In Illinois, open AA meetings are available to anyone who wants to learn more about the organization and its 12 step model of recovery. Attendees can include individuals currently seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder as well as friends, relatives, and loved ones of someone battling this addiction.

Women: Illinois AA meetings for women are community support meetings for women who are affected by alcohol addiction, including those who are addicted to alcohol and those who have loved ones with alcohol addiction. These meetings use a 12-step recovery curriculum and are open to women of all ages at no charge.

Young People: AA meetings for young people are intended for members in early adulthood, usually in their late teens and twenties. These groups focus on the experiences and issues that young people may face in their recovery.