The core of Alcoholics Anonymous lies in helping alcoholics turn sober. The global fellowship was started by alcoholics, for alcoholics. It has stood the test of time. Even today, in the 87th year of its existence, the fellowship helps people solve their alcohol problems intelligently.
That said, AA meetings are almost everywhere, thanks to their success. Although the basic structure of meetings is the same, each has its own way of doing things. No two meetings are exactly alike.
Why aren’t all meetings alike?
Meetings are conducted in various states throughout America and even outside. Every state has its own lifestyle, history, culture, and root causes of alcoholism.
For example, one state may have an unemployment problem that leads to alcoholism in the population. Another state may have a menacing drug problem that encourages alcoholism. Yet another place, maybe outside America, may have a deep-rooted culture of drinking. So, people don’t realize when they become alcoholics.
That’s the reason you cannot have all the meetings in the same manner everywhere. They differ, as members attending them differ.
Variety of meetings
Meetings provide a platform where like-minded people come together to discuss a problem and find a solution. In the case of AA, the problem is alcoholism. But this problem is spread in various classes of the society and types of people.
So, you can find an AA meeting in Connecticut that is exclusively for women, medical professionals, business people, university students, teens, and so on.
This gives the group a sense of comfort, as each one finds the other “sailing in the same boat.”
Say, an alcoholic university student may feel awkward in a meeting that has more business executives. The latter has their own set of problems that encourages them to drink. The student may feel left out. He or she may not want to share their student-life challenges, peer pressure for drinking, and such things.
An adolescent in a meeting full of adults with full-fledged careers may feel hesitant to share his or her feelings.
Some women may find it awkward to talk in a room full of men. For them, an all-women meeting is a good choice.
It’s good to find a meeting where you have more people of your age group, the field of work, and so on.
However, it is not mandatory either. You can still attend one of your local AA meetings that features people from different strata of the society.
Atmosphere of meetings
Meetings, in general, exude positive vibes. They are pulsating with energy and inspiration thanks to the stories and experiences shared by ex-addicts.
At times, the atmosphere may become grim due to somebody sharing a dreadful incident related to their alcoholism.
However, the leader or the chair sees to it the “clouds” of gloom do not stay in the meeting for long. They must quickly pass away, substituted by the light of hope, motivation, and a “can do” attitude.
In almost all meetings, you would learn about the 12 traditions of AA, the 12 steps, the Big Book, and about AA in general.
