Pierre AA Group

Types of AA Meetings

Big Book: Clients in South Dakota AA programs often find inspiration in the Big Book. This collection of stories feature the lives of real people who overcame alcohol use disorder.

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.

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.

Closed: In South Dakota, only members and indviiduals seeking help for alcohol addiction can attend open AA meetings. They are not accessible to outside community members. The discussion topics relate to alcoholism and recovery and everyone is invited to share.

Discussion: AA discussion meetings in South Dakota provide a specific addiction-related topic for group members to discuss and reflect upon. Leaders often derive this topic from an AA text, such as Daily Reflections or the Big Book. Once they open with their initial thoughts, others are welcome to share their input.

Literature: South Dakota literature-led AA meetings are support meetings for people who are impacted by alcohol addiction, including those suffering from alcohol addiction and those who have loved ones addicted to alcohol. These meetings are open to all at no cost to attend. They use literature written by AA founders and leaders, including the Big Book of AA, to guide a 12-step recovery program.

Living Sober: AA centers may have selected sessions set aside for Living Sober discussions. This text is secular in nature, and focuses on practical ways that members have used to stay sober one day at a time.

Open: Open AA meetings in South Dakota aren’t restricted to members only. Anyone from the local community is invited to attend to learn more about AA and its 12 step program. This includes individuals seeking help for alcohol addiction as well as anyone who wants to support them on their recovery journey.

Step Meeting: South Dakota’s 12 Step Program often consists of step meetings. Here, participants discuss how their experience has aligned with AA texts, and discuss ways on how to make their resilience stronger by the next meeting.