Chances are, you’ve likely heard of Alcoholics Anonymous. Since 1935, those facing the trials of alcoholism have turned to Alcoholics Anonymous to receive the guidance and support system needed to both get and stay sober. In fact, Alcoholics Anonymous was the first to develop a 12 step program for recovery from addiction. So what is Alcoholics Anonymous, who can be a member and where can you find an AA meeting near you? Here’s everything you need to know about AA meetings.
What is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international support system and mutual aid fellowship for those struggling with alcohol addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous has a simple mission: to help those looking to free themselves from the shackles of alcohol abuse, maintain their sobriety and help those struggling with alcoholism get sober.
The Alcoholics Anonymous program is designed for all who are looking to better themselves from the hardships of having a drinking problem. AA meetings are open to all, regardless of gender, orientation, race or religion. The program is centered around in-person support groups, known as AA meetings, which are meant to help members reach their goals through a 12 step program.
What are the 12 Steps of AA?
The 12 steps of AA include:
- Admitting that you have no power over alcohol, and that because of this, your life is becoming unmanageable.
- A belief that a power larger than us all can bring you back to health and control.
- A decision to entrust your life and will in a higher power to deliver you to health and sanity again.
- Taking an honest moral assessment of yourself.
- Admitting to yourself and others your misguided actions.
- Deferring to a higher power to eliminate these character flaws.
- Turning to a higher power to get rid of our limitations.
- Identify those you’ve harmed, then be willing to atone for your wrongdoings to them.
- Make good on your wrongings to those you’ve identified.
- Continuously self evaluate, and constantly admit shortcomings and wrongs along the way.
- Through prayer or meditation, connect to something greater than yourself and trust in its path.
- Once achieving clarity for yourself, continue to practice the 12 steps of AA, carry these principals with you, and help others similarly struggling.
Do AA Meetings Really Help?
Whether you seek support by attending Zoom AA meetings online or or attending them in person, AA meetings have helped millions around the world get better and beat their alcoholism. A 2020 Stanford University study found that the Alcoholics Anonymous program has the highest effectiveness among treatments for those seeking abstinence. One study even showed that AA meetings are 60% more effective than other types of interventions or none at all.
What Is The Process of Joining An AA Meeting?
If you’ve ever wondered what the membership requirement is to join your local Alcoholics Anonymous group, the answer may surprise you: simply a willingness to stop drinking.
Do you know whether you are a good candidate for membership, and do you know if you’re an alcoholic? The first step in getting the help you need to reclaim your life if you think you’re battling a drinking problem is knowing the warning signs of alcoholism.
So what are the signs of alcoholism?
It’s important to know that those dealing with alcohol abuse often may experience multiple symptoms at once. If you find that you’re having:
- Occasional blackouts and short-term loss of memory
- Irritable moods and drastic mood swings
- Using alcohol as a go-to coping mechanism to deal with stressors, relax, and return to a feeling of normalcy
- Prioritizing drinking over your responsibilities
- Distancing yourself from friends, family and loved ones
…then you may be experiencing signs of alcoholism.
Once you’ve identified that you’re ready to take the first step towards sobriety, it’s time to find your local AA meeting. For those who do not feel comfortable attending AA meetings in-person, online AA meetings, such as Zoom AA meetings, are a great alternative for you to better yourself and get the help you need from your home or place of stay.
Finding An AA Meeting Near You
Below, we’ve compiled a go-to list of AA meetings in our Central Florida community:
AA Meetings in Lakeland FL
- Mondays:
- Who & Where: Plug in the Jug (2720 E Main Street, Lakeland, FL)
- When: 12:00PM
- Tuesdays:
- Who & Where: Sober Lunch Bunch (745 S Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL)
- When: 12:00PM
- Wednesdays:
- Who & Where: Phoenix Group (722 E Walnut Street, Lakeland, FL)
- When: 7:00AM
- Thursdays:
- Who & Where: 1048 Recovery (1048 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL)
- When: 8:00PM
- Fridays:
- Who & Where: Northside Group (5129 US Hwy 98 N, Lakeland, FL)
- When: 8:00PM
- Saturdays:
- Who & Where: Acceptance Saturday Night Meeting (715 Cornelia Avenue, Lakeland, FL)
- When: 6:00PM
- Sundays:
- Who & Where: Experience, Strength and Hope (2720 E Main Street, Lakeland, FL)
- When: 7:00PM
- Mondays:
AA Meetings in Citrus Park FL
- Mondays:
- Who & Where: Wellspring Recovery Group (10701 Sheldon Rd, Town and Country, FL)
- When: 7:00PM
- Tuesdays:
- Who & Where: Alpha Group (4418 N Hubert Ave, Central, FL)
- When: 12:00PM
- Wednesdays:
- Who & Where: Carrollwood Group (12708 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Carrollwood, FL)
- When: 8:15PM
- Thursdays:
- Who & Where: Wellspring Recovery Group (0701 Sheldon Rd, Town and Country, FL)
- When: 7:00PM
- Fridays:
- Who & Where: Sunshine Group (5601 Hanley Rd, Town and Country, FL)
- When: 7:00PM
- Saturdays:
- Who & Where: Oldsmar Group (207 Buckingham Ave E, Olsdmar, FL)
- When: 8:00PM
- Sundays:
- Who & Where: Fireside Group (6227 Sheldon Rd, Town and Country, FL)
- When: 6:00PM
- Mondays:
AA Meetings in Wesley Chapel FL
- Mondays:
- Who & Where: Barracks Brigade Group (38418 2nd Avenue, Zephyrhills, FL)
- When: 10:00AM
- Tuesdays:
- Who & Where: Barracks Brigade Group (38418 2nd Avenue, Zephyrhills, FL)
- When: 10:00AM
- Wednesdays:
- Who & Where:164 Wesley Chapel Group (4210 Ernest Drive, Wesley Chapel, FL)
- When: 7:30PM
- Thursdays:
- Who & Where: Turning Point Group (5601 20th Street, Zephyrhills, FL)
- When: 7:15PM
- Fridays:
- Who & Where: Close to Home Group (27221 Foamflower Blvd, Wesley Chapel, FL)
- When: 7:00PM
- Saturdays:
- Who & Where: Barracks Brigade Group (38418 2nd Avenue, Zephyrhills, FL)
- When:10:00AM
- Sundays:
- Who & Where: Barracks Brigade Group (38418 2nd Avenue, Zephyrhills, FL)
- When: 8:00PM
- Mondays:
AA Meetings in St. Petersburg FL
- Mondays:
- Who & Where: 2250 Group (3125 5th Ave N, Saint Petersburg, FL)
- When: 9:00PM
- Tuesdays:
- Who & Where: Recovery Begins (4515 38th Ave N, Saint Petersburg, FL)
- When: 8:00PM
- Wednesdays:
- Who & Where: Root & Branch (2612 12th St N, Saint Petersburg, FL)
- When: 8:00PM
- Thursdays:
- Who & Where: As U R (2612 12th St N, Saint Petersburg, FL)
- When: 8:00PM
- Fridays:
- Who & Where: Go After Your Sobriety (3150 5th Ave N, Saint Petersburg, FL)
- When: 8:00PM
- Saturdays:
- Who & Where: St Pete Group (401 5th St N, Saint Petersburg, FL)
- When: 8:00PM
- Sundays:
- Who & Where: Inner Focus Group (2500 16th St N, Saint Petersburg, FL)
- When: 3:00PM
- Mondays:
AA Meetings in Brandon FL
- Mondays:
- Who & Where: A Common Solution Group (130 N Moon Ave w203, Brandon, FL)
- When: 7:30PM
- Tuesdays:
- Who & Where: Hide-a-Way Group (710 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL)
- When: 12:00PM
- Wednesdays:
- Who & Where: Free Thinkers of Brandon (1628 Lakewood Dr, Brandon, FL)
- When: 5:30PM
- Thursdays:
- Who & Where: Sweet Surrender Group (130 N Moon Ave w203, Brandon, FL)
- When: 7:00PM
- Fridays:
- Who & Where: AA 101 (200 Kingsway Rd, Brandon, FL)
- When: 6:30AM
- Saturdays:
- Who & Where: Brandon Saturday Night Group (121 Carver Ave, Brandon, FL)
- When: 8:15PM
- Sundays:
- Who & Where: Promises Meeting Group (910 Bryan Rd, Brandon FL)
- When: 7:30PM
- Mondays:
FAQ
- How long does alcohol stay in your urine?
- On average, urine tests are able to detect alcohol anywhere between 12 and 24 hours after consumption.
- Are AA meetings free?
- While being a member of Alcoholics Anonymous is free of charge and requires paying no dues or fees, your local AA meeting group may collect (as much or as little as you wish to give) to allocate towards any meeting expenses.
- What is the difference between a closed and open AA meeting?
- A closed AA meeting is only open to Alcoholics Anonymous members and those looking to stop drinking, while open AA meetings are open to all interested in Alcoholics Anonymous’ alcohol recovery program.
Works Cited
http://www.aabali.org/open-closed-meetings/
https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-2_faqAboutAA.pdf
https://aa.org.au/new-to-aa/frequently-asked-questions/
