Monkey Brains

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Arizona’s Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) programs embrace the 12 Steps and Traditions model, providing vital support and guidance for those seeking lasting recovery. Meetings are open, welcome all, and foster a community of shared experience and hope.

Big Book: Clients in Arizona may participate in Big Book discussions. The Big Book contains dozens of inspirational stories of past clients who successfully controlled their 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.

Cross Talk Permitted: Cross talk refers to speech in AA meetings that are directed toward a specific member, rather than the group, and is generally critical. Crosstalk is generally not permitted in AA because it is considered disruptive and can undermine the unity of the group. However, some AA chapters allow cross talk in discussions.

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.

Open: Open AA meetings in Arizona are open to anyone who wants to learn more about the program and how the 12 step recovery model operates. This may include individuals seeking help for alcohol addiction as well as their friends and family members. This allows nonalcoholics to understand the basic meeting structure so they can provide support moving forward.

Speaker: Arizona AA centers often invite speakers to inspire participants to battle alcohol. Speakers employ a combination of humor, spirituality, raw emotions, and encouragement.

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.