Alphabet Soup

Types of AA Meetings

Discussion: In Tennessee, AA discussion meetings center around a particular topic that relates to alcohol addiction and recovery. Group leaders will open the meeting by sharing their personal thoughts and experiences that relate to the topic, then allow other members to share. Topics typically come from AA texts, including the Big Book.

LGBTQ: Selected AA chapters focus on providing a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, and generally welcome LGBTQ+ allies. These groups prioritize members’ recovery and sobriety within a non-heteronormative context.

Newcomer: In Tennessee, AA newcomer meetings give new members a chance to ask questions, share their personal experiences, and gain support from experienced members as they seek help for their drinking problem. These meetings may include an overview of what to expect for Steps 1 through 3.

Open: In Tennessee, open AA meetings are accessible to anyone from the public, including alcoholics and nonalcoholics. During the meeting, members can share their stories and provide information about the organization, while observers can listen and learn.

Step Meeting: AA groups in Tennessee use step meetings to update their progress in the 12 Step Program. Members read from Twelve Steps, discuss how the passages compare with their experience, and recommend ways to enhance their progress by the next meeting.

Young People: AA meetings for young people are intended for members in early adulthood, usually in their late teens and twenties. These groups focus on the experiences and issues that young people may face in their recovery.