- Find meetings near you
- Discover online or in person meetings
- Get 24 hour information on addiction
800-934-9518
SponsoredAttending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) fully online is not typically as effective as attending meetings in person, as the program is built on face-to-face social interaction and support as well as other benefits that cannot be gained through a strictly virtual format. For more information about rehab centers that will help you take the first steps to sobriety, call
800-948-8417
Sponsored
now.
AA Is a Social Program
While many websites boast the potential for recovering individuals to attend AA meetings online, the program itself does not work as well in this way. This is because AA is a social group that allows individuals to meet one another face-to-face as often as necessary to benefit their recoveries.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “People can attend MHGs [mutual-help groups like AA] as frequently or for as long as they want without insurance and without divulging personal information,” but the aspect of meeting others who are dealing with the same issues you are in a room and discussing this is essential.
Why Can’t I Gain the Benefits of AA by Attending Online Meetings?
Online meetings offer a temporary alternative to in-person meetings when your schedule conflicts or you need a remote option. However, they are not intended to be a long-term solution. Being on a computer, even when talking to someone else, is far too isolating for someone in this fragile state of recovery, and a face-to-face meeting is often necessary for a strong connection.
Active participation in AA meetings and events is very important to one’s success with the program, and someone who is only interacting with the group online will not usually have the same draw to participate. In addition, people in a text-only social situation may not be as courteous or respectful of one another, which can be seen in Internet groups.
Flexible Support When You Need It
The best part about attending AA is the vast number of meeting locations. According to the AA website, the organization can be found in around 180 nations around the world, with more than 123,000 AA groups currently active.
Anywhere you are, there’s a good chance that there’s a local AA meeting within driving distance. This accessibility and flexibility are what make in-person meetings achievable for individuals in recovery. No matter how busy your schedule might be, there are likely morning, afternoon, and evening classes near you that will work around your set hours, so you can attend in person rather than online.
What Should I Do?
All AA meetings are free and occur almost any time, so finding out if the program is right for you is not a difficult task. You can attend an AA meeting once, on your own, or choose a rehab center that incorporates 12-step therapy and meetings into its treatment program.
Whatever you decide to do, it is best to work as hard as you can within the parameters of the treatment program and then decide if it will be best for your needs.
You can call
800-948-8417
Sponsored
to find rehab centers that provide AA meetings, 12-step facilitation therapy, and a number of other options for recovering individuals. Let us help you find the right program for your specific situation, and call now.
10 Things you Won’t Learn in an Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting—and Why You Should Attend Anyway
AA has worked for an extremely large number of people; in fact, millions of individuals have been helped by this program. Therefore, trying it out could possibly benefit you in a number of ways, but it is still important to note what the program won’t actually teach you. If you haven’t attended professional treatment, it is necessary for a safe recovery to do so, and you can find reliable treatment centers by calling . What Won’t I Learn in an AA Meeting? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, AA helps to promote abstinence as well as other healthy…