Mid-Cities

Types of AA Meetings

Big Book: In Texas, the Big Book has a prominent place in AA meetings. Clients are inspired to overcome their alcohol use disorder by reading about the lives of real people who did the same.

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: In Texas, closed AA meetings are only available to members of AA or people seeking help for alcohol addiction. General members of the public cannot attend. The discussions are informal and typically focus on one specific aspect of addiction recovery.

Discussion: AA discussion meetings in Texas allow all members to participate and share their thoughts on a given subject. The subjects pertain to alcoholism and recovery and usually tie into an AA text, such as As Bill Sees It or AA Grapevine. Leaders will share first, explaining their reflections on the topic and any related experiences.

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.

Men: AA groups provide 12 Step Programs for members recovering from alcohol use disorder. Some meetings in Texas are reserved for men only, and discussions center on the health and recovery for men of all ages.

Open: In Texas, open AA meetings allow anyone from the community to attend and learn more about how AA operates, what the 12 step recovery model includes, and how they can support a friend or loved one in their alcohol addiction recovery. These meetings are available to alcoholics and nonalcoholics alike.

Smoking Permitted: Select AA chapters may allow permit smoking during the meeting or have a designated space for smoking in accordance with the facility’s policy and local ordinances. Smoking may include other tobacco usage and vaping.

Speaker: Texas AA centers can encourage their members to resist relapse by inviting speakers. Motivational Speakers are usually AA alumni and use a blend of humor, charm, reason, faith, and emotions to dissuade their listeners from drinking.

Step Meeting: In Texas, AA chapters include step meetings in their programs. In the meetings, clients read from AA literature, discuss how the passages match up with their experience, and suggest ways on how to improve their recovery.

Women: Texas women’s AA meetings are support group meetings for women who are impacted by alcohol addiction - those who are suffering from alcoholism as well as those who have loved ones with alcohol addiction. Free for women of all ages to attend, these meetings offer peer support along with a 12-step recovery program.