Others were fortunate enough to appreciate, early in life or in our drinking Drug rehabilitation careers, that alcohol had become unmanageable. Members say that they are alcoholics – even when they have not had a drink for many years. However, the number of members who attend meetings continuously changes because people drop out of the program. Therefore, it’s difficult to track success rates. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international fellowship of people who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, nongender-biased, apolitical, nonreligious, and available almost everywhere.
Long-term recovery effectiveness
However, many AA meetings emphasize the practical aspects of recovery, such as sharing personal experiences, discussing challenges, and offering mutual support. Other studies have analyzed the effectiveness of peer support, in general, during substance use recovery and found that it contributed to a variety of improved outcomes. Outcomes were also improved for individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health issues. The three circles, often seen on AA medallions, represent the unity and connection within the program. A tattoo featuring this design can be a beautiful reminder of the support and community found in AA.
A Choice for Meaningful Treatment with Dignity
Both programs emphasize spiritual growth, personal recovery, and 12-step participation, but they differ in their approach to addiction recovery. While AA primarily focuses on alcohol addiction, NA supports individuals recovering from broader substance addictions, including prescription drugs and illegal substances. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. The biggest difference between Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is the type of addiction they focus on. AA members often refer to themselves as “alcoholics,” while NA members identify as “addicts” to emphasize that all substances can be addictive.
Beginnings of AA
Brittany has 15 years of experience in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse field. The WHO calls alcoholism “a term of long-standing use and variable meaning”, and use of the term was disfavored by a 1979 WHO expert committee. All meetings open with a short prayer; frequently a common abbreviated version of the The Serenity Prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr. After the readings and prayer, what happens at the meeting will depend on what type of AA meeting it is. All AA meetings are over in an hour-and-a-half.
About the Big Book
We encourage anyone who wishes to learn more about AA to attend an open meeting. Closed meetings are limited to people with a desire to stop drinking. If you have a desire to stop drinking, you are welcome at any closed meeting of AA. If you think you may be an alcoholic or you have a desire to stop drinking, we urge you to learn more about AA The best way to learn more is to attend an AA meeting.
Are there any restrictions on where I can get an AA-related tattoo?
Although general conventions meet periodically and Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., is headquartered in New York City, all AA groups are essentially local and autonomous. To counteract self-indulgence and promote the alcoholics anonymous definition group’s welfare, members identify themselves only by first name and surname initial. Much of the program has a social and spiritual, but nonsectarian, basis.
What Is An Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Like?
Through our programs, weekly house gatherings, employment support, money management, family outreach, and a solid foundation based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Contact us today to explore how our sober living home can complement your AA journey and help you thrive in recovery. AA membership is open to anyone with a drinking problem and a genuine desire to stop drinking. There are no age or education requirements needed to participate. AA works through members telling their stories of what we used to be like, what happened and what we are like now.
The AA program
- What matters most is your commitment to your recovery journey and the support you find within the AA community.
- You can help people who are affected by alcoholism by making a donation to the Cleveland District Office.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a globally recognized support group that assists individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.
- They use the 12-step process, emphasizing personal stories, peer support, and meeting attendance to help members stay committed to their journey toward sobriety.
BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. Program success is dependent on attending these meetings regularly and holding yourself accountable. You can also participate in an online AA meeting (AA intergroup), virtual meeting, or zoom meeting instead. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. As with many mutual help groups, AA emphasizes rigorous honesty and letting go of preexisting beliefs.
The real miracle is that these people are happier than they ever were when they drank. Alcoholics get to the point where drinking isn’t fun anymore, and it causes a lot of problems. Being alcohol free can be just like being let out of jail. If you are skeptical that this miracle really happens, that’s okay. Within our membership may be found men and women of varying age groups and many different social, economic and cultural backgrounds. Some of us drank for many years before coming to the realisation we could not handle alcohol.
Big Book ASL – Chapter 9 – The Family Afterward
Click here to read a letter from the Board Chair about the 2024 Regional Forums. Several other drugs are also used and many are under investigation. All the great faiths are represented in our Fellowship and many religious leaders have encouraged our growth. There are even atheists and agnostics among us. Belief in, or adherence to, a formal creed is not a condition of membership.
