AA NA CA 12 Step Meetings & Anonymous Support Groups

National 12 Step MeetingsAnonymous 12 Step Groups

Share365

365 Shares

12 Step Meetings and Anonymous Groups is a growing repository of meeting data for all well-known established 12 step groups. From coast-to-coast, this is a growing and free resource to update meetings for all anonymous 12 step groups. 12 Step National Meetings currently identifies the most sought 37 anonymous groups and a simple purpose, to provide necessary logistics via maps, precisely the location of a community of people seeking recovery in a private setting.

Often times, there isn't one resource that compiles the meeting locations for all groups, thereby making attendance quite difficult and threatening to one's recovery. A solution to this problem of scarcity of meetings in many areas, we provide instructions on how to start your own 12-step meeting for your group and report it to the founding organization to be included in its directory. Important information for the organization as a whole will be communicated with newly formed groups and people needing help will also benefit as well.

This is all free to you. We hope with your participation, we are able to achieve the goal.

"Many have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind."

Most 12-Step programs are modeled on the format of Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, which is a fellowship of men and women who struggle with alcohol abuse and / or addiction and wish to remain sober. AA is nonprofessional, nondenominational group, and it is not affiliated with any political groups. It is free to join. Groups are self-sustaining and do not receive any outside funding.

Twelve step groups are safe. These environments are free from drugs and alcohol. Individuals members are surrounded by other members with similar problems seeking the same goal of sustained recovery and abstinence. These safe meetings can provide individuals with a network of sober associates, friends and peers who can identify, empathize, understand and share experiences with each other in personal ways in which others not in recovery may not be able to as easily.

There are specialty 12 step groups for adolescents, elderly population, LGBT individuals, men only, women only, or those suffering from co-occurring mental health disorders.

Providing moral support with other individuals, who have triumphed from their addictions offering advice based on personal experiences and knowledge is the result of attending a 12-step meeting regularly.

Meetings are typically an hour to 90 minutes in length and membership is open to anyone with alcohol abuse issues who wants to stay abstinent on a long-term basis. People do not have to do anything prior to attending a meeting; they can just show up. Attendance is kept confidential, and individuals are welcome to attend as many different group meetings as they desire.

Finding a 12 Step Meeting Near You

People in recovery often find 12 step meetings near their home. Finding an anonymous group meeting like CA (Cocaine Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous) or AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), many people in recovery use online resources like 12 Step National Meetings or even websites of the parent organization CA, AA or NA website.

Meetings for many anonymous groups known as 12 step groups are usually hosted at locations such as hospitals, small office buildings, outdoor parks (weather permitting) and churches most likely topping the list. 12 step groups are made up of individuals in recovery, collectively becoming a peer support group, helping each other.

The goal for the group and each individual is to avoid the drink, drug, sex or behavior known as abstinence and practicing the new steps which helps prevent relapse. The composition of support groups does not associate with any particular sect, religion or denomination, often being spiritual in nature. The members seek a higher power, beginning with a totality of the group.

The 12 steps includes new objectives for sobriety by encompassing a change in the persons attitudes and actions. These actions can be summarized by some as:

a) Trusting a higher power (seeking strength from somewhere)
b) Cleaning house (personal inventories of wrong doings) and
c) Working with others (losing selfishness).

12 Step Meeting Formats Explained

From start to finish, this list would be one of many suggested 12 step meeting formats. There are many variations based on each group, however in this layout. Overall, each 12 step meeting follow some of the items below in a participation meeting.

General introduction and greeting.
Group leader asks for a quiet moment, followed by a 12 step prayer.
Guidelines of meetings, including its purpose, openness and confidentiality of members.
In an AA meeting, readings are from any of its several approved literature books.
Member introductions, including yourself by first name only. Anonymity is key.
Group leader introduces himself/herself and a guest member to talk to group
Participation to makes short comments or replies on topics earlier spoken about
Business portion of meetings includes any announcements relating to the group.
Each group is self-supported through its own voluntary contributions. Usually $1.
Group meetings close by members reciting a prayer in unison. Gives strength.

To fellowship is a 12 step group intent to have members get familiar with one another, through their common problems and life experiences. In this process, refreshments such as coffee, tea, doughnuts, cookies, etc. may be served before the meeting, during discussions, or after the group concludes. In strengthening the fellowship, individuals in the group may decide to perform a task such as being a greeter inside or outside meeting place, coffee chef (make coffee), contribution basket facilitator (passing the bucket). Some members after a length of sobriety (this varies in each group) assume responsible roles often call commitments by becoming a group’s chairperson, treasurer, secretary or group representative in larger areas where more of the same organization’s meetings are held.

Members in recovery for with notable sobriety (some measure in months or years) help new members of the group by becoming a sponsor. A sponsor is suggestive in a group to offer encouragement, provide support and talk to about matters specifically relating to material not understood in the approved reading material. While others make more of this uniquely voluntary role, it should be kept to guidelines of each organization. Some benefits of having a sponsor is support in person or by phone, talking situations through, eliminate loneliness which causes triggering events leading to relapses to be averted. Relationships lasting a lifetime may evolve with sponsors from its members through regular contact and daily communication.

12 Step Types of Meeting in Detail

Overall, there are two meeting types, closed and open meetings.In an open meeting, freely anyone can attend. This may include, friends, family members or anyone wanting to learn more about the group’s purpose and expectation within the meeting.

In a closed meeting, basically limited to members who identify themselves seeking or prolonging their recovery from any substance abused. Designed to be a safe place for people to share personal experiences, circumstances, and hardships related to their substance abuse to, remain confidential within the group is the sole purpose of a closed meeting

Additionally, a few designed formats, explained by Alcoholics Anonymous exists within the closed and open type of 12 step meetings as follows:

• Newcomer or beginner’s meetingsThese meetings are led by a long-term member who has been sober for a lengthy period of time and may follow the discussion format while focusing on the first three of the 12 Steps, or it may be more of a question-and-answer type format.

• Presentation or speaker meetingsMembers who have been sober for a minimum period of time may be chosen beforehand to share their past experiences and how working through “The Program,” as AA’s 12 Steps and Traditions may be referred to, has helped them get to where they are today. These meetings are often open to the public.

• Topic or discussion meetingsAs a very common format, the leader of the meeting will choose a topic, to discuss during the meeting. These meetings may be open or closed.

• Literature or book meetingsReadings from one of these organization approved texts (in AA group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or 12 Steps & 12 Traditions book) is shared and worked through during the meeting. These meetings are usually held in a rotation as the Steps or Traditions are worked through. Individuals may use workbooks and texts during the meeting or for homework assignments.

• Commitment or service meetingsThese may be information meetings about service opportunities within the group or reports on service activities the group has performed.

• Group inventory meetingsMembers work to determine if the group is fulfilling its purpose and functioning effectively.

• AA Grapevine meetingsDiscussions are held based on topics from AA Grapevine, which is the international journal of AA.

• Group business meetingsGenerally, these meetings are for the members involved in the business aspects of the group. They may also include the group in electing officers or other group business needs.

Ask or Discuss New Questions About 12 Step Recovery Meetings

It is suggested that members regularly attend meetings with other members who share their particular recovery problem. New meetings are added regularly. In accordance with the First Step, twelve-step groups emphasize self-admission by members of the problem they are recovering from. It is in this spirit that members often identify themselves along with an admission of their problem.

Some meetings are known as dual-identity groups which encourage attendance from certain demographics Some areas have, for example, women's groups; men's groups; and gay, lesbian, and transgendered groups. There are also in some areas beginner's groups as well as "old-timer" groups that limit who can share, or speak during the meeting, by the length of time the members have in that fellowship.

AA NA CA 12 Step Meetings & Anonymous Support Groups

Login