The New Way of Life

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Kentucky's AA programs embrace the 12 Steps and Traditions, a recovery philosophy that is structured, supportive, and rooted in behavioral sciences. AA programs provide a welcoming environment where essential skills for continued sobriety are preached, practiced, and embraced.

Big Book: The Big Book is a collection of stories about men and women who overcame alcoholism. AA centers in Kentucky use the Big Book to inspire clients during group discussions.

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.

Discussion: AA discussion meetings in Kentucky give all members the chance to reflect on their alcohol addiction recovery journeys and share their hopes for the future. Leaders will normally open the meetings by reading from an AA text, such as the Big Book. Once they share their input on the topic, they’ll allow others to join the discussion.

Literature: Literature-based AA meetings in Kentucky are peer support meetings for people who are impacted by alcohol addiction. These community meetings, free for all to attend, are based on a 12-step recovery program and emphasize AA literature, such as the Big Book of AA and other writings by AA founders and leaders.

Open: In Kentucky, anyone who wants to learn more about AA and the 12 step recovery model can attend an open AA meeting. These meetings are available to all members of the public, including alcoholics and nonalcoholics. In addition to providing practical tools and tips for recovery, they also help observers to better understand the program and its basic structure.

Step Meeting: In Kentucky, AA members meet to discuss the 12 Step program. In these step meetings, clients can talk about how their experience matches the program’s concept and recommend ways to elevate their recovery by the next meeting.

Women: Women’s AA meetings in Kentucky are peer support meetings for women who are affected by alcoholism, including women who are addicted to alcohol and those who have loved ones with alcohol addiction. Held at various community locations, these meetings use a 12-step addiction recovery curriculum and are open to all women at no charge.