Sober Women Without Borders

Types of AA Meetings

Big Book: AA programs in Pennsylvania often feature the Big Book in discussions. Clients find inspiration from the lives of real people who overcame alcohol use disorder.

Closed: In Pennsylvania, closed AA meetings are not open to general members of the community. The only people who may attend are members of AA and individuals who know they have a drinking problem and want to find help.

Discussion: AA discussion meetings in Pennsylvania are structured around a central topic related to alcoholism and recovery. After opening the meeting and sharing the topic, leaders may share briefly from a related AA text. Then, they’ll add their own insights and encourage others to participate in the conversation.

Speaker: In Pennsylvania, speakers assist AA members by appealing to them to resist relapse. Speakers tend to use a blend of humor, reason, faith, raw emotions, and charm to dissuade members from drinking.

Step Meeting: Step meetings are part of the 12 Step Program in Pennsylvania AA centers. Groups read AA texts like Twelve Steps, discuss how the passages fit their experience, and come up with goals to improve their recovery in the next meeting.

Tradition Study: Tradition Study sessions are AA reflections about the organization. Members discuss how AA chapters can be more successful in their purpose through greater unity and its outreach programs.

Women: Pennsylvania women’s AA meetings are group meetings for women who are impacted by alcoholism - those who have alcohol addiction and those who have loved ones with alcoholism. Open to women of all ages in the community, these meetings follow a 12-step recovery program and are free to attend.