Greenwood Forest Group

Types of AA Meetings

Big Book: In North Carolina, the Big Book is a source of inspiration for AA participants. The Big Book features the lives of real people who overcame alcohol use disorder.

Candlelight: Candlelight AA meetings are sessions in which members bring candles, usually white, that represent their hopes and goals. When each member shares, that member lights their candles as they discuss their challenges and successes.

Closed: Closed AA meetings in North Carolina are only open to AA members and individuals who realize they have a drinking problem and want to take steps toward recovery. Leaders will facilitate the informal discussion and newcomers will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Discussion: In North Carolina, AA discussion meetings focus on one specific subject related to alcohol addiction and recovery. Leaders will open by sharing the topic, which often comes from an AA text, such as the Big Book. Then, others can join in and add their own insights.

Men: In North Carolina, men recovering from alcohol use disorder can join an AA chapter. Select chapters are reserved for men only, and provide no-cost 12 Step Programs that center on the health and recovery for men of all ages.

Newcomer: AA newcomer meetings in North Carolina help people who are unfamiliar with the program learn more about the 12 step recovery model works. These meetings are only open to individuals who are seeking help for alcohol addiction, and may include an overview of Steps 1 through 3.

Open: Open AA meetings in North Carolina allow anyone interested to attend. This helps attendees learn more about AA’s model of recovery and 12 step program model. Individuals seeking help for alcohol addiction are welcome to attend as well as anyone interested in supporting them on their journey.

Speaker: North Carolina AA centers frequently invite motivational speakers to build members’ resilience against relapse. By using humor, charm, faith, and reason, speakers inspire participants to maintain sobriety.

Step Meeting: AA chapters use step meetings as part of the recovery process in North Carolina. In a step meeting, participants read from Twelve Steps and discuss how the passages relate to their own progress. These lessons can strengthen their resilience.

Wheelchair Access: In North Carolina, AA centers may feature wheelchair access for non-ambulatory clients. Exterior ramps, designated parking spaces, and open floor spaces enable clients to fully participate in AA meetings.

Women: North Carolina women’s AA meetings are peer support meetings for women who are affected by alcohol addiction. Free to attend for all women in the community, including women who are addicted to alcohol and those who have loved ones with alcoholism, these meetings offer community support with the structure of a self-guided 12-step recovery program.