The consequences of our alcoholic drinking (and thinking) have also varied. Some of our members had become derelicts before turning to AA for help. They had committed many grave offences – against society, their families, their employers and themselves.
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 aa meaning alcohol to learn more is to attend an AA meeting. There are hundreds of AA meetings in Connecticut everyday, meeting at almost any time of day.
What is alcoholism?
AlcoholAwareness.org is dedicated to providing support and resources for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. We aim to raise awareness, offer guidance, and connect people with recovery programs to help them regain control and improve their lives. At meetings, those involved gather to share their stories, offering emotional and practical support to those struggling with alcoholism. This includes providing useful information on how to deal with difficult situations, maintain sobriety, or even enjoy life without alcohol.
Additionally, anonymity helps safeguard the integrity of A.A. By discouraging members from using their association for personal gain or public recognition. Anonymity is often referred to as the greatest single protection the Fellowship has to assure its continued existence and growth. Members — and unity in the common bond of their recovery from alcoholism — anonymity serves as the spiritual foundation of A.A. AA, or Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship that meets regularly to help individuals and families who struggle with alcoholism.
Finding local AA meetings near you
At most meetings you will hear members talk about what drinking did to them and to those around them. Most also share what actions they took to stop drinking and how they are living their lives today. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately. This website does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Site.
Open vs. Closed Meetings
If you or someone you know is dealing with alcohol addiction, consider talking to a professional about it. Alcoholism is a progressive disease that can cause many disturbances in your private and professional life and can also be fatal when not treated. Consider speaking to an addiction specialist to discuss treatment options.
About Alcoholics Anonymous
- Recovery Guide LLC does not endorse any treatment provider, and we do not guarantee the quality of care, outcomes, or results from any treatment program listed or advertised on our site.
- It’s a prompt to challenge limiting thoughts or fears that might be getting in the way of our progress.
- AA is organized and financed through a decentralized structure with local AA groups and a general service office.
- Understanding AA’s 4 Horsemen and 8 Bedevilments can provide insight into what it’s like to experience the intense darkness that alcoholism brings to someone’s life.
- Spirituality plays a significant role in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) by offering individuals a framework for recovery, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
The second section contains personal stories from early members who achieved sobriety, offering practical examples and hope to those seeking recovery. The Big Book serves as a guide for the sponsor-sponsee relationship. Sponsors and sponsees typically read the book together, using it as a framework for working through the 12 steps. The Big Book is the foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), published in 1939. It contains the Twelve Steps and personal stories of recovery, providing guidance and inspiration for those seeking to overcome alcohol addiction.
How AA Meetings Directory supports your sobriety journey
Its adaptable approach has allowed people from diverse backgrounds to find common ground in their fight against alcoholism. The simplicity and universality of its message—emphasizing personal responsibility, spiritual awakening, and service to others—have made AA a leading model in addiction recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous, founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, emerged as a community-driven response to the challenges of http://users.atw.hu/angaeskuvo/wordpress/?p=26029 alcoholism. Its conception marked a pivotal moment in the history of addiction treatment, shifting the narrative from hopelessness to one of recovery and mutual support. Reasons for starting a new group vary, but the ways to go about it are basically the same.
The structure of AA meetings is fundamental to the organization’s approach to recovery, offering a predictable and secure environment where individuals can share and heal. Understanding this structure beforehand can help newcomers set realistic expectations alcoholism and feel more at ease, fostering a smoother integration into the AA community. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio, marking the beginning of an enduring global movement dedicated to helping individuals recover from alcoholism. At its core, AA’s mission is to offer a supportive community where people can share their experiences with alcohol dependency and find mutual support in their journey toward sobriety.
Broken relationships or the loss of a job can add to the despair that seems to grow as alcohol abuse continues. A person struggling with alcoholism can experience confusion about why they are suffering or why they can’t control their drinking. It’s baffling to them how once they could enjoy drinking and how it all led to their present predicament. While navigating the intricate paths out of alcohol addiction, it’s easy to get so deeply fixated on the bottom line that you miss a chance to celebrate the small gains achieved in the meantime. Sobriety coins stand as a reminder to step back and pat yourself on the back for the far you’ve come.
- All information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
- If you have a desire to stop drinking, you are welcome at any closed meeting of AA.
- This allows family and friends to learn about AA and see how it works.
- For decades, scientists were unsure of the benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous.
- Meetings at Alcoholics Anonymous follow a structured format with readings from Alcoholics Anonymous literature and optional personal sharing.
QTIP is a useful acronym for those moments when criticism or negativity affects our serenity. It’s a reminder not to take everything personally and to focus on our recovery journey. STEP reminds us that the 12-step program of AA provides a structure that can help us address and overcome every problem we face in recovery.
A.A. Can Support Professionals
This pamphlet describes who A.A.s are and what we have learned about alcoholism.