You are not alone

Colorful mural celebrating Virginia's 30th District, featuring a tree with green leaves, with words like 'Service,' 'Unity,' and 'Recovery,' and the numbers '30' and the words 'Historic Virginia District'.

A.A.'s program of recovery is built on the simple foundation of one alcoholic sharing with another. Only you can decide whether you want to give A.A. a try. Admitting that you may need help, or admitting that you’re an alcoholic, takes courage.

Find a Meeting

Will I find people like me in A.A.?

Like other illnesses, alcoholism strikes all kinds of people. So the men and women in A.A. are of all races and nationalities, all religions and no religion at all. They are rich and poor and just average. They work at all occupations, as lawyers and housewives, teachers and truck drivers, waitresses and members of the clergy.

What to expect at a meeting

Anyone with a desire to stop drinking is welcome, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, income or profession.

The purpose of all A.A. group meetings, as the Preamble states, is for A.A. members to “share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” Toward this end, A.A. groups have both open and closed meetings. Closed meetings are for A.A. members only, or for those who have a drinking problem and “have a desire to stop drinking.” Open meetings are available to anyone interested in Alcoholics Anonymous’ program of recovery from alcoholism. Non-alcoholics may attend open meetings as observers. At both types of meetings, the A.A. chairperson may request that participants confine their discussion to matters pertaining to recovery from alcoholism. Whether open or closed, A.A. group meetings are conducted by A.A. members who determine the format of their meetings.

You can just sit and listen and learn more about recovery, or you can share about your situation. It’s completely up to you.