Going Forward Group

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Virginia offers a range of AA meetings rooted in the 12 Steps and Traditions. Meetings are for residents of all backgrounds including teens, young adults, seniors, veterans, members of the LGBTQ community and others. Meetings are open to individuals in recovery, family members, mentors, and others.

Big Book: AA programs in Virginia frequently use the Big Book to inspire participants. The Big Book contains stories about real people who overcame alcohol use disorder.

Cross Talk Permitted: Cross talk refers to speech in AA meetings that are directed toward a specific member, rather than the group, and is generally critical. Crosstalk is generally not permitted in AA because it is considered disruptive and can undermine the unity of the group. However, some AA chapters allow cross talk in discussions.

Grapevine: Grapevine is a monthly magazine published by AA. Its contents, written by AA members, generally feature the experiences of individuals with alcohol use disorder, and articles are often discussed in AA meetings.

Living Sober: AA centers may have selected sessions set aside for Living Sober discussions. This text is secular in nature, and focuses on practical ways that members have used to stay sober one day at a time.

Open: In Virginia, open AA meetings are fully accessible to the public. Members may share their personal experiences with alcohol addiction and recovery while observers can listen and learn. These meetings are informational in nature, welcoming both alcoholics as well as anyone who wants to understand more about the program and its 12 step recovery model.