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Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Virginia offers a range of AA meetings rooted in the 12 Steps and Traditions. Meetings are for residents of all backgrounds including teens, young adults, seniors, veterans, members of the LGBTQ community and others. Meetings are open to individuals in recovery, family members, mentors, and others.

Discussion: In Virginia, AA discussion meetings are structured around a particular topic that relates to alcohol addiction and recovery. Leaders will typically share first, referencing an AA text such as the Big Book before sharing their personal reflections. Then, other members can talk about what the topic means to them.

Open: In Virginia, open AA meetings are fully accessible to the public. Members may share their personal experiences with alcohol addiction and recovery while observers can listen and learn. These meetings are informational in nature, welcoming both alcoholics as well as anyone who wants to understand more about the program and its 12 step recovery model.

Speaker: Speakers in AA centers can motivate members to maintain their sobriety. In Virginia, Speakers are usually AA alumni and use humor, reason, charm, faith, and emotions in their appeals to listeners.

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.