SOUTH SANFORD GROUP

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.

As Bill Sees It: As Bill Sees It is a collection of essays and reflections from AA’s founder, Bill W., about the organization and its purpose. The book is often referenced in AA meetings to encourage members to individually and collectively discuss their recovery.

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.

Closed: Closed AA meetings in Florida are limited to members of AA or anyone who seeking help and support for alcohol addiction. This creates a safe space for participants to share about their experiences and recovery journeys. Discussions are informal and everyone can participate.

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.

Grapevine: Grapevine is a monthly magazine published by AA. Its contents, written by AA members, generally feature the experiences of individuals with alcohol use disorder, and articles are often discussed in AA meetings.

Literature: Literature-focused AA meetings in Florida are community support meetings for people affected by alcohol addiction. These sessions offer peer support within a 12-step program based on AA literature, including AA workbooks, the Big Book of AA, and other writings by AA founders and leaders.

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.

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.

Outdoor Meeting: Select AA chapters may choose to hold meetings outside. These outdoor meetings are usually held in shared community spaces, such as beaches and parks, and can include outdoor activities.

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.