New Hope Group Merritt Island

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Florida's Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) programs offer a lifeline of support through the 12 Steps and Traditions, helping individuals find lasting sobriety. Meetings provide a welcoming environment for all seeking recovery and fostering feelings of hope and community.

Big Book: The Big Book is a collection of stories from men and women who overcame alcohol use disorder. The Big Book is often a center of discussion in many Florida AA meetings.

Candlelight: Candlelight AA meetings are sessions in which members bring candles, usually white, that represent their hopes and goals. When each member shares, that member lights their candles as they discuss their challenges and successes.

Discussion: AA discussion meetings in Florida are based around one topic designed to spur group conversation. The leader will normally choose the topic from an AA text, such as Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Once they share a brief reflection, others can participate and add their input.

Men: In Florida, men of all ages affected by alcohol use disorder can find a free 12 Step Recovery program with an AA chapter. Select chapters may be men-only to focus on issues that pertain to men’s health and recovery.

Newcomer: AA newcomer meetings in Florida help individuals who are new to AA understand more about how the program works and what the 12 step recovery model includes. Leaders may allow open discussions or follow a more structured format centered on the first three steps.

Speaker: Florida AA programs often include motivational speakers to inspire clients to maintain sobriety. Speakers mix humor, charm, raw emotions, and faith to get their points across.

Step Meeting: AA members in Florida often schedule step meetings in their programs. In these meetings, members read from texts like Twelve Steps, talk about their level of progress, and strategize for greater improvement for their next meeting.

Wheelchair Access: Florida AA facilities with wheelchair accessibility feature ramps and designated parking spots. Clients will be able to safely navigate the facility’s amenities to participate in their meetings.

Wheelchair-Accessible Bathroom: Selected AA centers offer wheelchair-accessible bathrooms for participants. These bathrooms have enough space for a wheelchair to safely navigate, and can include private stalls with guardrails, reachable toilet paper and seat cover dispensers, a wash basin, and other amenities.

Women: Women’s AA meetings in Florida are group peer support meetings for women who are affected by alcohol addiction. These meetings use a 12-step recovery curriculum and are open to all women free of charge, including women who are addicted to alcohol and women who have loved ones with alcohol addiction.