West End AA 7th Street West

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Minnesota's AA programs provide a lifeline of support through the 12 Steps and Tradiiaons recovery guidelines. These guidelines foster a community of recovery. Open meetings welcome all seeking sobriety, are peer or mentor-led, and help establish critical skills for success.

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: AA centers in Minnesota often inspire clients by using the Big Book. The anthology features dozens of stories about men and women who overcame alcoholism.

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.

Closed: In Minnesota, closed AA meetings are restricted to members and people who recognize they have a drinking problem and want to stop. Newcomers can ask questions to more experienced members, gaining insight and advice as they begin their recovery journey.

Discussion: In Minnesota, AA discussion meetings offer the opportunity for all members to share their thoughts and feelings on a specific subject. Leaders usually derive inspiration for the discussion from an AA text, such as the Big Book. They’ll open with their own reflections, and then encourage others to discuss.

LGBTQ: Selected AA chapters focus on providing a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, and generally welcome LGBTQ+ allies. These groups prioritize members’ recovery and sobriety within a non-heteronormative context.

Men: Minnesota AA meetings provide free 12 Step Programs for participants impacted by alcohol use disorder. Some groups may be designated only for men, so that men of all ages can discuss issues that relate to their health and recovery.

Open: In Minnesota, open AA meetings are available to anyone who wants to learn more about the program and the 12 step model of addiction recovery. This may include individuals who need help overcoming alcohol addictions as well as friends, relatives, and loved ones interested in how the organization operates.

Step Meeting: AA programs in Minnesota feature step meetings to assist members’ recovery. In these meetings, members participate in group readings, converse about their experience and relate it to the text, and suggest ways for future improvement.

Women: Minnesota AA meetings for women are peer support meetings for women who are affected by alcohol addiction, including women with alcoholism and those who have loved ones who are addicted to alcohol. These meetings use a 12-step recovery program and are free for women of all ages to attend.