The Lighthouse- Newcomer Meeting

Types of AA Meetings

Big Book: AA clients in Washington use the Big Book as a source of inspiration. The Big Book features the lives of real men and women who overcame alcohol use disorder and can inspire clients to follow their lead.

Closed: In Washington, closed AA meetings are only available to members of AA and people who want to find help for alcohol addiction. Nonalcoholics and general members of the community cannot attend these discussions, which center on topics related to alcoholism and recovery.

Newcomer: AA newcomer meetings in Washington are geared toward indiviusls who aren’t familiar with AA and want to understand more about it as they recover from alcohol addiction. They are informative in nature and may include a synopsis of Steps 1 through 3 of the program.

Open: In Washington, open AA meetings are not restricted to members only. Anyone is welcome to attend and learn more about how the program works and what the 12 step model of recovery includes. This includes individuals seeking help for alcohol addiction as well as nonalcoholics who want to support a friend or loved one in recovery.

Wheelchair Access: Washington AA centers generally provide wheelchair access for non-ambulatory clients. These features may include open meeting rooms, restroom access, and amenities. Exterior ramps and designated parking assist in making facilities safe for navigation.

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.