Starting Over

Types of AA Meetings

Closed: In South Carolina, closed AA meetings are only accessible to AA members and anyone seeking help for a drinking problem. They are not open to the general public. The discussions are informal and all participants are invited to share their reflections and experiences.

Discussion: In South Carolina, AA discussion meetings provide the opportunity for members to share their personal reflections on a specific topic related to alcoholism and recovery. This topic usually ties back to an AA text, such as AA Grapevine or the Big Book. Leaders will open with their own insights and then encourage others to speak.

Literature: South Carolina literature-led AA meetings are support meetings for people who are impacted by alcohol addiction, including those suffering from alcohol addiction and those who have loved ones addicted to alcohol. As part of a 12-step addiction recovery program, these community meetings are free to attend and are based on the Big Book of AA and other literature by AA founders and leaders.

Open: Open AA meetings in South Carolina are available to anyone in the community. They are not limited to members only, which gives the public the opportunity to learn more about the organization and its unique 12 step recovery program. Members can share their stories and experiences while non-members can listen and observe.

Speaker: Speakers encourage AA members to maintain sobriety through humor, charm, reason, faith, and emotions. In South Carolina, AA centers often invite speakers to motivate their members.

Wheelchair Access: Non-ambulatory clients in South Carolina may still fully participate in AA meetings. The center may have designated parking spaces and wheelchair access through exterior ramps and open floor spaces.