The support system is one of the most significant benefits of regular AA meeting attendance, as members can provide support and encouragement to one another. John’s StoryJohn had struggled with alcohol addiction for years, but he had never been able to stay sober for more than a few weeks at a time. He started attending AA meetings at the encouragement of a friend, and he quickly realized that it was the missing piece in his recovery journey. Attending meetings regularly helped him to build a support system, develop coping mechanisms, and stay accountable for his actions. Today, John has been sober for two years, and he credits his regular attendance at AA meetings for his success. Regular attendance at AA meetings is beneficial for maintaining sobriety and creating a robust support system.
Meetings welcome attendees from court programs and treatment facilities. The strength of our program lies in the voluntary nature of membership in A.A.; however many of us first attended meetings because we were pressured to by someone else. The only requirement to join AA is the desire to stop drinking and achieve lifelong sobriety. To find a 12-step AA meeting in your area, ask your counselor or physician for referrals.
These contributions are often referred to as “the basket”. In the early stages of recovery it can be useful to go to meetings as often as possible to help deal with more intense cravings. The first few months of sobriety can be the hardest in terms of cravings and having people to talk to about what you are going through can help you make it through. Many people attend meetings everyday when they are starting their recovery because they find it so helpful.
Meeting types range from discussion meetings to step meetings, with options for open meetings (welcoming anyone) or closed meetings (exclusive to A.A. members). Meeting attendance is voluntary, with no strict requirements, so each member can attend based on personal goals and progress in recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international organisation with over 2 million members in 180 nations and more than 115,000 groups worldwide.
Factors Influencing Meeting Frequency
The AA program is based on the concept of one alcoholic helping another through sharing their experiences. At meetings, alcoholics talk about how drinking affected their lives, the actions they took to help themselves, and how they are living their lives now. There is no cure for alcoholism, and AA members acknowledge that they must maintain their physical, mental, and spiritual health to stay away from alcohol.
How Many Days a Week Should One Attend Meetings?
Everyone in the room has been through many of the same things and it can be a very grounding and healing experience to listen and talk about some of your painful secrets. Meetings keep people connected to others in recovery so that they have support when they are going reasons to attend aa meetings and how often to go through difficult times. Nearly everyone you meet at 12-step AA meetings understands what you’re going through as a recovering addict. This bond allows you to help one another get through difficult roadblocks on the path to recovery, especially on days you’re feeling lost, hopeless, and alone.
You might just pick up a few new ideas that can help you achieve lasting sobriety. The chairperson asks if any newcomers or first-timers are attending the meeting who would like to introduce themselves by their first name. You may or may not be one of them as this is an option and not mandatory. The meeting might be held in a building connected with a church or a community center. You arrive to find most of the people you see are there for the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
- Going to AA, regardless of how long you’ve been sober, is critical to managing alcoholism.
- This could mean going to meetings daily or multiple times a week.
- Not everybody is obligated to speak out and share during meetings, but doing so can ignite inspiration and hope in those who are struggling with addiction.
- One study published by the American Journal on Addictions followed an experiment of two groups of AA members.
- Attending meetings regularly helped her to develop a strong support system and learn valuable coping mechanisms that she still uses today.
The Experience Blog
In some meetings, people are randomly called on, the thinking is, that it prevents the same people from constantly sharing, overriding the more shy, quieter people. In other meetings, at the end of the prayer, everyone may say a popular AA slogan, such as, “meeting makers make it.” Some will be large while others are small; some are connected to a treatment program, and some meetings will feel more religious than others. A typical AA meeting lasts 60 to 90 minutes, although this may vary depending on the type and format of the individual meeting. Some meetings may be as short as thirty minutes, while others may be as long as two hours.
- Regular attendance at AA meetings provides a robust support system, as members can relate to the complexities of addiction and offer unwavering support.
- AA has been found to be the most effective path to alcohol abstinence.
- While AA is faith-based, it is not about indoctrination or forcing people to find religion—it’s about supporting people as they work to change their relationship with alcohol.
- Research suggests that attending meetings can lead to positive outcomes for many AA participants.
Online Meetings and Flexible Options
Access to Resources and InformationAA meetings also provide access to valuable resources and information that can be incredibly helpful during the recovery process. Many meetings feature guest speakers who share their experiences and offer insights into addiction and recovery. Additionally, attendees can learn about local resources, treatment options, and other helpful information that can support their recovery journey. AA has no set procedure for how often its members should attend meetings. However, the friendly injunction “Keep coming to meetings” is based on the experience of the majority of AAs, who find that their sobriety suffers when they stay away from meetings for too long. Many know from experience that if they do not come to meetings, they may get drunk, and that if they attend regularly, they seem to have no trouble staying sober.
This article explores how meeting frequency varies among A.A. Members, factors influencing attendance, and how regular A.A. Attendance can benefit individuals committed to their recovery.
The decision of how often one should attend AA meetings is a personal one and depends on individual needs and comfort levels. However, it is generally advised that during the initial stages of recovery, it is beneficial to attend AA meetings more frequently. This could mean going to meetings daily or multiple times a week. This intense schedule helps to build a strong foundation for sobriety and allows one to immerse themselves in the support network.
Learning Center
This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. While AA is faith-based, it is not about indoctrination or forcing people to find religion—it’s about supporting people as they work to change their relationship with alcohol. The Gooden Center is licensed by the state of California to deliver mental health and substance use disorder residential treatment. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.
Many newcomers choose to attend “90 meetings in 90 days,” allowing them to immerse themselves in the support of an A.A. This high frequency of attendance helps individuals build the habits and relationships that foster abstinence and stability in recovery. At Men’s Halfway House, we support individuals in early recovery by providing a safe environment where they can establish this solid foundation. Meetings follow a structured format, offering spaces for individuals to share stories, discuss the 12 Steps, and work through addiction challenges.