MESH: Meetings of Experience, Strength and Hope Group

Types of AA Meetings

Big Book: Connecticut AA meetings may use the Big Book as a main discussion topic. The Big Book features real stories of men and women who overcame alcohol use disorder, and is a source of inspiration for clients.

Discussion: In Connecticut, AA discussion meetings revolve around one specific topic. A member serving as the leader will open the meeting by referencing an AA text, such as AA Grapevine, the Big Book, or Daily Reflections. Then, other members can participate and share their own feelings about the topic and its relation to their recovery journey.

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 Connecticut, open AA meetings are available to any interested member of the public, including individuals who aren’t seeking treatment for an alcohol use disorder. This gives participants the opportunity to learn more about AA and the 12 step model of recovery.

Speaker: In Connecticut, AA speaker meetings involve humor, raw emotions, personality, and faith. Their goal is to inspire clients to harden their resolve against alcohol.

Step Meeting: Step meetings are part of Connecticut AA programs. In these meetings, participants converse about the stages of their recovery, compare their experiences to those in AA texts, and make goals for strengthening their recovery.

Wheelchair Access: In Connecticut, AA meetings that have wheelchair accessibility allow clients to park in designated parking and ramps. Non-ambulatory clients can safely navigate meeting halls, restrooms, and additional amenities.