Children of Chaos

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: New Mexico's AA programs offer guidance through the 12 steps, providing a lifeline of support for those seeking sobriety. Meetings are regular and flexible and provide a welcoming environment for individuals and their loved ones.

Big Book: The Big Book is a collection of real stories about people who successfully managed alcohol use disorder. AA clients in New Mexico use the Big Book for inspiration.

Birthday: In AA, birthdays refer to the last day (or the day after) that a member used alcohol or drugs. Birthday anniversaries are celebrated as milestones to encourage sobriety.

Daily Reflections: Daily Reflections is an AA text that compiles insight, experience, and encouragement from various members. Selected contents may be topics of discussions in AA meetings. Members can also adapt reflections into their daily activities.

Discussion: In New Mexico, AA discussion meetings are conversational in nature. Leaders will choose a central theme to discuss, often pulling inspiration from an AA text, such as As Bill Sees It. They’ll share their personal insights first, then allow others to do the same.

Open: In New Mexico, open AA meetings are available to anyone from the public who wants to attend. Members can share their stories and alcohol addiction recovery journeys, offering a look into how the program works and what the 12 step recovery model includes. Alcoholics and nonalcoholics are welcome.

Wheelchair Access: New Mexico AA centers generally have wheelchair access for non-ambulatory clients. Features typically include exterior ramps, designated parking, and navigable layouts for meeting halls, restrooms, and amenities.

Wheelchair-Accessible Bathroom: Selected AA centers offer wheelchair-accessible bathrooms for participants. These bathrooms have enough space for a wheelchair to safely navigate, and can include private stalls with guardrails, reachable toilet paper and seat cover dispensers, a wash basin, and other amenities.

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.