AA meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous is the original 12-step fellowship and remains the largest local support network for people recovering from alcohol addiction. AA was founded in 1935 in the United States, reached the UK in 1947 and now holds thousands of meetings every week across Britain. There is no cost, and no sign-up process. AA is a group of people who know what addiction to alcohol feels like because they have experienced it firsthand.

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How does Alcoholics Anonymous work?

AA is built on a simple idea of alcoholics helping other alcoholics stay sober. The AA fellowship programme centres on the 12 steps, a set of principles designed to break recovery up into manageable goals and achievements. Some of the most important foundations of AA include:

The 12 steps

The steps begin with admitting you’re powerless over alcohol and that your life has become unmanageable. From there, the steps progress through taking a moral inventory of yourself, acknowledging the harm that has been caused, making amends where possible, and developing a daily practice of self-reflection. The final steps focus on helping other people struggling with alcoholic addiction, which is seen as essential to maintaining your own sobriety.

The 12 traditions

The traditions govern how AA fellowship groups operate, and keep AA focused on its single purpose of helping its members recover. They also protect anonymity, so what is shared in meetings stays there.

Membership requirement

The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. You don’t need to have hit rock bottom, or even be certain that you have an addiction. As long as you want to stop, whatever your reasons, you are welcome.

Sponsorship

A sponsor is someone who has worked the 12 steps and guides you through the programme. Finding a sponsor usually happens naturally after you’ve attended a few meetings and have got to know people. It’s not compulsory, but most people who stay sober long-term say their sponsor made a decisive difference, as it gives you someone to call whenever things get difficult.

What are the options for AA meetings?

AA meetings are available in person, online, and by phone. In-person meetings take place in community centres, church halls, hospitals, and other venues across the UK. Online meetings expanded dramatically during the pandemic and remain popular for people who can’t get to a physical location, whether due to work schedules, childcare, disability, or simply feeling too anxious to walk through a door.

AA meetings also come in different formats to suit different needs:

Open and closed meetings

Open meetings allow anyone to attend, including people with drinking problems, family members, healthcare workers, or anyone wanting to learn about AA. Closed meetings are restricted to those who want to stop drinking. This separation exists because some people speak more freely when everyone present shares the same struggle.

Discussion meetings

In discussion meetings, the chairperson or group selects a topic, and members take turns sharing their thoughts and experiences related to it. These tend to be relaxed and conversational, and they are the format you will encounter most often.

Speaker meetings

These are where one or two members share their story at length, including what their drinking was like, what brought them to AA, and how their life has changed. These can be particularly good for newcomers because you can sit back and listen without any expectation to contribute.

Step meetings

These AA meetings focus on the 12 steps in sequence, usually examining one step per session. They can also be very helpful if you want to understand the programme in more depth.

Big Book meetings

The Big Book is AA’s foundational text, written by the founders in 1939. These meetings involve reading passages aloud and discussing them. The language can feel old-fashioned, but the core principles still apply.

Beginners meetings

These meetings are designed specifically for people new to AA, and explain the basics and answer any questions. They are a good place to start if the whole thing feels unfamiliar or scary.

What to expect at your first AA meeting

Most people feel nervous before their first meeting, and that’s completely normal. Try to get there a bit early, because someone will probably be arranging chairs or putting the kettle on. You can introduce yourself, but even if you’re shy, when people notice you’re new, they will usually say hello and explain what’s about to happen.

AA meetings typically open with a short reading, which is often the Serenity Prayer and something about AA’s purpose. The chairperson will then outline the format, and then someone will introduce themselves: “I’m John, and I’m an alcoholic.” When your turn comes, you can give your name, say you’re just here to listen, or stay silent. Nobody will push you to do anything.

When it comes to sharing, people speak one at a time. There is no back-and-forth, no commenting on what someone else said, and no offering advice. This provides an uninterrupted chance for things to be said in AA meetings that have never been said anywhere else.

Anonymity is taken extremely seriously, and what is said in the room stays in the room. Afterwards, people usually hang around for tea and chats, which is a great way to make friends and feel more confident in the group.

What are the benefits of attending AA meetings?

AA provides a room full of people who genuinely understand because they’ve lived it. Hearing someone else describe your exact experience can cut through the loneliness in a way that’s hard to explain until you’ve felt it. Some of other real benefits include:

Completely free, with no time limit on how long you can attend
No GP referral or assessment required
Meetings which run mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends
A clear programme when addiction or recovery can feel chaotic
One-to-one support through sponsorship
Meetings across the UK and in most countries if you travel
Online and telephone meetings if getting there in person isn’t possible

Many people attend AA alongside other fellowships, so if you are also struggling with drug addiction, there are NA Meetings and CA Meetings available. For behavioural addiction, there are Gambling Anon meetings, SLAA Meetings, DA Meetings, and Grey Sheets meetings for eating disorders.

How to find an AA meeting near you?

AA Great Britain maintains a meeting directory at alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk. You can search by postcode, town, or region, and the directory shows meeting times, locations, whether meetings are open or closed, and which formats they use. Online meetings are listed separately and run at all hours.

If you have been through alcohol rehab or alcohol detox, the staff will often suggest specific local meetings and may introduce you to AA during your stay.

If you still need extra help or advice on what to expect for AA, Recovery.org.uk can help. We can identify AA meetings closest to you and advise on other treatment and support options. Reach out through our contact us page and we will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the two sins of Alcoholics Anonymous?

The “two sins” come from the AA’s Big Book. The first is to interfere with the growth of another human being, and the second is to interfere with your own growth. In practice, this means not obstructing someone else’s recovery and not undermining your own progress.

What is the 90-90 rule for AA?

The 90-90 rule means attending 90 meetings in 90 days. It is a common suggestion for newcomers, though not an official AA requirement. The thinking is that daily attendance during early recovery builds a solid foundation when the temptation to drink is strongest.

Do I have to have a sponsor in AA?

No, sponsorship isn’t mandatory, but most people who succeed with the programme have one. You pick your own sponsor, usually after attending AA meetings for a while and identifying someone whose sobriety you admire. There is no obligation, and you can find a different sponsor if it doesn’t work out.