Find AA Meetings in Louisiana

If you’re looking to find an AA meeting in Louisiana, you’re not alone. In fact, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 24 percent of residents in the state admit to binge drinking. This demonstrates the need for low access treatment programs and support groups, like AA. AA meetings in Louisiana support people to overcome alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Whether you’re looking for discreet online AA meetings or support groups to fit around childcare in the evenings, you can find an AA meeting near you that suits your individual needs. 

Get Help With Alcohol Addiction

Talk To Someone Now

Call toll free to:

• Find meetings near you
• Discover online or in person meetings
• Get 24 hour information on addiction

225-457-0016

All calls are 100% confidential

Calls are forwarded to these paid advertisers

Find Louisiana AA Meetings Serving These Cities

Expert Insights 

A recent report evaluating the latest CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System showed a staggering 31 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes involved adults drinking excessively. Louisiana State University is working hard to prevent substance misuse and treat alcohol addiction (now called alcohol use disorder), which they say affects 10 percent of Louisiana residents and costs the state $3 billion annually. Dr. Molina, Director of the LSU Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center of Excellence have employed a team of researchers to strengthen knowledge and provide education about the effects of alcohol abuse, the intersection of substance use and pain, and other alcohol-related areas of interest that can improve the lives and economy in Louisiana. “Our projects have a positive economic impact on Louisiana by reducing lost wages, as well as health care and mortality costs associated with alcohol and drug abuse,” says Molina.

Alcoholism Statistics in Louisiana 

Binge Drinking in Louisiana

Louisiana ranked second highest in the states for excessive drinkers. The latest CDC data shows:

• 22 percent of residents admit drinking excessively – that’s over 1.02 million people
• Some areas of the state record higher numbers of alcohol abuse, like Lafourche Parish, where 24 percent of adults reported drinking excessively, compared to a US average of 19 percent
• Binge drinking among the same age group increased from 35.2 percent to 37.1 percent in the same two year period

Alcohol Addiction in Louisiana

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in their National Survey on Drug Use and Health 6.3 percent of people in Louisiana had alcohol use disorder, which is higher than the national average of 5.3 percent.

Alcohol-related Fatalities in Louisiana

In 2021, 31 percent of traffic fatalities involved alcohol-impaired drivers, equating to 299 deaths, according to the U.S Department of Transportation.

Economic Impact of Alcohol Abuse in Louisiana

The CDC reports that the cost of excessive alcohol use in Louisiana has an economic cost of $3.8 billion.

These statistics demonstrate the real need for not only accessible addiction treatment but the valuable work the team at LSU are doing to understand alcohol addiction and prevent it. AA is a free treatment option available to anyone in the United States. Fortunately, you’ll find over 300 different types of treatment programs and hundreds of AA meetings. 

Popular Types of AA Meetings in Louisiana

AA is a support group that helps individuals overcome problems with alcohol. The 12-step program of recovery provides regular recovery meetings, a program of recovery, and volunteer opportunities to help each other achieve sobriety. You’ll find AA Louisiana to be a supportive recovery community, with others seeking and maintaining their sobriety. There are no fees to attend AA, or anywhere else in the world. It is a free, member-run organization that is supported through donations and volunteer work.

Big Book Study

Meetings that are referred to as “Big Book” discussions, focus on AA’s key literature: the Big Book. During the meeting, a member reads a passage of the book and shares what it means to them. Then others may take turns in reading and sharing their experiences.

Discussion Meetings

An AA discussion meeting is a format where members will read a passage from a selection of AA’s literature This might include The Big Book or the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. After reading a chapter members may share their experiences and then open the meeting to others to discuss the passage. 

Daily Reflections Meeting

This type of meeting centers on AA’s book Daily Reflections which provides 365 short essays for members to reflect on. You may find topics centered around AA’s core principles, including being of service, gratitude, humility, and sobriety. During a Daily Reflection meeting, a member may read a passage from the book and members may share their experiences related to the reading.

As Bill Sees It

AA’s founder, Bill Wilson, wrote a book called As Bill Sees It, which serves as a source of inspiration, hope, and comfort for members of AA. The book includes essays on acceptance, gratitude, and spirituality. Like other literature-themed meetings, this kind of meeting reads a passage of As Bill Sees It and members share their related experiences.

Online AA Meetings in Louisiana 

Virtual AA meetings are a great way to participate and feel the benefits of attending an AA meeting when you’re unable to attend in person. For example, perhaps you’re recovering from surgery, or can’t get childcare, this is where their digital meetings are very helpful. Originally, AA meetings were all in-person. However, during the pandemic, they had to switch to Zoom meetings due to social distancing restrictions. Since then, many members have found it more convenient to attend meetings online, from the comfort of their home. All you need is a smartphone, but you can also use a computer, tablet, or laptop. 

The only key difference between an online meeting and an in-person meeting is that you must wait to be unmuted if you wish to speak. Most other things remain the same, like the readings, themed meetings, and members sharing their experience, strength, and hope.

Resources for Alcohol Addiction 

• The Louisiana Department of Health. Office of Behavioral Health – Substance Use and Addictive Disorders Services. This website links individuals in Louisiana with treatment programs, including alcohol detox, outpatient care, residential treatment, co-occurring mental health and alcohol use disorder treatment, and a link to prevention services. 
• Oxford Houses: links to transitional homes for people seeking support from others in early recovery. Think of Oxford Homes as the original sober living homes. Unlike more modern homes that are owned by private recovery centers, Oxford Homes are truly low barrier housing for individuals with little to no income. They provide structured housing, guidelines to live by, and may require individuals to participate in drug testing and a recovery program.
• Louisiana Center for Prevention Resources: a program run jointly by the Louisiana Department of Health and Southern University. They provide prevention resources, technical assistance to healthcare providers, education, training, and advocacy.

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Data on Excessive Binge Drinking https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/data-stats.htm
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/
3. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. (2023). County Health Rankings National Findings Report. https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/reports/2023-county-health-rankings-national-findings-report
4. LSU Health Foundation. (n.d.). Preventing Abuse & Treating Addiction, in Louisiana and Beyond. https://www.lsuhealthfoundation.org/preventing-abuse-treating-addiction-in-louisiana-and-beyond/
5. SAMHSA. (2020) Behavioral Health Barometer. Louisiana, Volume 6. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt32835/Louisiana-BH-Barometer_Volume6.pdf
6. U.S. Department of Transportation. (2021). National Highway Safety Information. Traffic Safety Facts. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813472