Main Idea AA

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Minnesota's AA programs provide a lifeline of support through the 12 Steps and Tradiiaons recovery guidelines. These guidelines foster a community of recovery. Open meetings welcome all seeking sobriety, are peer or mentor-led, and help establish critical skills for success.

As Bill Sees It: As Bill Sees It is a collection of essays and reflections from AA’s founder, Bill W., about the organization and its purpose. The book is often referenced in AA meetings to encourage members to individually and collectively discuss their recovery.

Babysitting Available: AA centers might have pre-existing available babysitting services, which they make available for members during meetings. Services vary in terms of cost, ages of children accepted, and amenities for babysitters, members, and children.

Big Book: AA centers in Minnesota often inspire clients by using the Big Book. The anthology features dozens of stories about men and women who overcame alcoholism.

Closed: In Minnesota, closed AA meetings are restricted to members and people who recognize they have a drinking problem and want to stop. Newcomers can ask questions to more experienced members, gaining insight and advice as they begin their recovery journey.

Discussion: In Minnesota, AA discussion meetings offer the opportunity for all members to share their thoughts and feelings on a specific subject. Leaders usually derive inspiration for the discussion from an AA text, such as the Big Book. They’ll open with their own reflections, and then encourage others to discuss.

Meditation: Meditation AA meetings feature physical and emotional calmness as a main method of healing. The meetings open with 15 minutes of private mediation and close with an additional 5 minutes of meditation.

Newcomer: In Minnestoa, AA newcomer meetings are available for people in the initial stages of recovery who want to learn more about the program. The meetings may be discussion-based or centered on the first three steps of the 12 step recovery model.

Open: In Minnesota, open AA meetings are available to anyone who wants to learn more about the program and the 12 step model of addiction recovery. This may include individuals who need help overcoming alcohol addictions as well as friends, relatives, and loved ones interested in how the organization operates.