Into Action

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Virginia offers a range of AA meetings rooted in the 12 Steps and Traditions. Meetings are for residents of all backgrounds including teens, young adults, seniors, veterans, members of the LGBTQ community and others. Meetings are open to individuals in recovery, family members, mentors, and others.

Closed: Closed AA meetings in Virginia are not open to anyone outside the AA community. The only people who can attend are members of AA and individuals who recognize they have an alcohol addiction and want to find help. The discussions are informal and everyone can contribute.

Literature: Virginia AA literature meetings are support group meetings for men and women who are affected by alcohol addiction. These cost-free community meetings study the Big Book of AA and other recovery writings by AA founders and leaders as part of a 12-step addiction recovery program.

Open: In Virginia, open AA meetings are fully accessible to the public. Members may share their personal experiences with alcohol addiction and recovery while observers can listen and learn. These meetings are informational in nature, welcoming both alcoholics as well as anyone who wants to understand more about the program and its 12 step recovery model.

Speaker: Speakers in AA centers can motivate members to maintain their sobriety. In Virginia, Speakers are usually AA alumni and use humor, reason, charm, faith, and emotions in their appeals to listeners.