Over the Rainbow

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Maryland's AA embraces the 12 steps, providing essential support for those on the path to recovery. Open meetings offer a supportive community for individuals and their loved ones, promoting healing and growth.

Big Book: Clients in Maryland AA centers often use the Big Book for inspiration. The book contains stories about real people who successfully controlled alcohol use disorder.

Closed: In Maryland, closed AA meetings are not accessible to the general public. The only people who can attend are current members and individuals who recognize they have a problem with drinking and want to find help. Discussions are informal and participation is encouraged.

Discussion: AA discussion meetings in Maryland are designed to be conversational and informative. Leaders will choose a theme for discussion that relates to alcohol addiction and recovery, often pulling inspiration from an AA text, such as Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. After sharing briefly, they’ll invite others to join in.

Literature: Maryland literature-based AA meetings are peer group meetings for people who are impacted by alcohol addiction. Open to all to attend at no cost, these community support meetings offer a 12-step addiction recovery program and a study of the Big Book of AA and other AA literature.

Newcomer: AA newcomer meetings in Maryland give members a chance to share the AA recovery model with people who want help for alcohol addiction but aren’t familar with the 12 step program. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and may receive an overview of Steps 1, 2, and 3.

Open: In Maryland, anyone in the community can attend open AA meetings. This includes individuals seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder and nonalcoholics who want to understand more about the program. Family, relatives, and loved ones of alcoholics can attend AA meetings to learn about addiction and what to expect as their loved one recovers.

Step Meeting: Step meetings are a central part of AA programs in Maryland. Here, members read passages from AA texts like Twelve Steps, discuss how they have used these steps in their recovery, and make plans for improvement for their next meeting.

Wheelchair Access: Maryland AA centers may include wheelchair access for non-ambulatory clients. Features may include ramps, designated parking spaces, and safe navigability of the center’s layout.