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Find AA Meetings in Massachusetts

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If you’re looking to find an AA meeting in Massachusetts, you’ve come to the right page. Massachusetts has a lively drinking culture with five times as many licenses for bars and restaurants than the limits set in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It’s not surprising that people in Massachusetts struggle with binge drinking and the severe consequences. According to Boston University, alcohol is responsible for a significant rate of deaths in Massachusetts. These concerns highlight a need for alcohol support programs, like AA. AA is one of the most accessible recovery options for Americans seeking sobriety, with meetings tailored to gender, sexuality, and age preferences, and with meetings both online and in-person, you can find an AA meeting near you that suits your specific needs. 

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Expert Insights 

Alcohol has a significant impact on health and safety in Massachusetts, being the cause of one in 20 deaths. Currently, the state ranks 14th in the United States for problem drinking. A recent survey found over 22 percent of adults and a staggering 63 percent of underage drinkers reported engaging in binge drinking in the last month. This is a great concern for public health and government officials. Senator Jason Lewis told Boston University “The fact that Massachusetts has such a high rate of youth binge drinking is very concerning,” he went on to call for legislative action to make alcohol less accessible. Fortunately, the state has a long list of treatment resources, including recovery high schools, peer support centers, opioid treatment programs, and supportive case management. 

Alcoholism Statistics in Massachusetts 

According to a state report from 2022, Alcohol, Health, and Safety in Massachusetts:

  • Alcohol accounted for 4.74 percent of all deaths, killing on average 2,760 per year from alcohol poisoning
  • Deaths from alcohol have risen 13.8 percent since 2009, which is faster than lung cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking
  • Alcohol related crimes accounted for 3,700 assaults, 99 homicides, and 148 suicides
  • Alcohol abuse and dependence with the 4th largest cause of ER admissions in 2020
  • 23 percent of ER visits for alcohol abuse resulted in readmission
  • 66,000 drivers reported drinking and driving in the past 30 days
  • Massachusetts has more fatal crashes due to alcohol compared to other states, accounting for 32.4 percent (compared to 28 percent in other states)

Given that alcohol causes significantly more harm to people in marginalized communities, it is important that free treatment options, like AA, are accessible to residents in Massachusetts.

Popular Types of AA Meetings in Massachusetts

Open/Closed Meeting

There are two different types of AA meetings: an open meeting and a closed meeting. An open meeting is where anyone can attend the AA meeting. For example, perhaps a romantic partner or friend wants to attend a meeting to support a loved one. This is permissible in an open meeting. Conversely, a closed meeting means only those who define themselves as a member of AA, or those who have a desire to stop drinking, are permitted to attend. People who do not have a problem with alcohol are not allowed to attend closed meetings.

12 Step Study Meeting

An AA step study meeting means that members will meet to discuss one of the twelve steps. The format will usually involve reading the step out of the book The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, and members sharing how they relate to that step. Perhaps they’ll share how they experienced the step, how their point of view changed the second time, or how their life has changed since working through that particular step. This information can inspire other members who are yet to work that step with their sponsor or provide a different perspective.

Speaker Meeting

An AA speaker meeting simply means that an AA member has been nominated/asked to share their story of recovery. They’ll share what their life was like before AA, what happened, and what their life is like today. This is also described as sharing their “experience, strength, and hope.” The purpose of speaker meetings is to give others hope and inspire them in whatever challenges they want to overcome in their sobriety. It’s also helpful to know that you are not alone in your recovery journey, when it can feel isolating to be the only one in a group of friends, or in your family, who don’t drink. 

Tradition Study Meeting

The 12 steps are accompanied by the 12 Traditions. Think of the steps as “how to recover” and the traditions as “how to maintain the principles of AA.” Like a study meeting, a tradition study meeting involves a member reading a chapter of the book, The 12 Traditions, and members taking turns to share their related experiences. 

Online AA Meetings in Massachusetts 

Online AA meetings typically happen over the Zoom platform. When you are searching for “AA Meetings in Massachusetts” be sure to look at the type of meeting and whether it is online. During virtual meetings, members attend from the comfort of their home, from their laptop, desktop computer, or even their smartphone. Typically, these meetings will follow the same format (depending on the focus of the meeting), with readings, shares, and the opportunity to welcome new members. 

Some helpful tips for online meetings:

  • You’ll have to raise your hand if you’d like to share. Usually members are muted upon entry to the meeting and the chairperson can un-mute you to speak.
  • Show up a few minutes early for the before the meeting check-in with other members. This is valuable time where members share if they’re new, talk about outside social events, and share telephone numbers. 
  • Remember that when speaking, members can hear everything through your speaker. So be mindful not to be tapping your pen on the desk or have a loud TV on in the background as it can be distracting for other members. 

Resources for Alcohol Addiction 

You may find the following Massachusetts resources helpful 

Sources

  1. https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2022/alcohol-causes-1-in-20-deaths-in-massachusetts\
  2. https://www.bu.edu/sph/files/2022/12/BU_SPH_Alcohol-221205-FINAL.pdf
  3. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/substance-addiction-services-descriptions
  4. https://www.cityofwestfield.org/723/Substance-Use-Resource-Guide
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