High Watch was the first and therefore the oldest 12-step-based treatment center in the world still operating today. We are a Fellowship of people who have lost the ability to control our drinking and have found ourselves in various kinds of trouble as a result of drinking. We attempt — most of us successfully — to create a satisfying way of life without alcohol. For this we find we need the help and support of other alcoholics in A.A.

Studies indicate that short-term and long-term abstinence rates climb significantly among substance abusers who participate in AA programs or similar groups. Other studies have analyzed the effectiveness of peer support, in general, during substance use recovery and found that it contributed to a variety of improved outcomes. Outcomes were also improved for individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health issues. AA, or Alcoholics Anonymous, is a 12-step recovery program that was founded in 1935 with the goal of helping those afflicted with alcohol addiction. Despite its long history and the fact that it boasts over 2 million members across the globe, people still have many questions about the success rate and rules of AA programs.

Explore the program

Speaker meetings are where there is a guest speaker who talks to the group. The speaker is invariably somebody with a few years or even decades sober. You may find yourself leaving the speaker meeting with the feeling that you just enjoyed a standup comedy act. Many people in recovery have a dark sense of humor and we mainly laugh at ourselves. After years and sometimes decades of drinking we’re easy targets to poke fun at.AA speakers tell their story and frequently the story is sad (but also funny). It’s easy to laugh when somebody at the podium cracks a joke about, for instance, going to jail and being the smelliest bum in the holding cell.

Those who struggle with alcoholism usually drink to cope with the fact that they are afraid of themselves, someone in their lives, something they have to face, or the unknown future. Fear occupies their lives, and alcohol may help them momentarily forget it. Most of the time alcohol abuse will cause a person to be more afraid of what is to come. In a 12 & 12 meeting the group takes turns sharing about one step or tradition as found in the AA book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. The format is to read out of the book, then whoever wants to share can.

What is a Closed AA Meeting?

We do not receive any compensation or commission for referrals to other treatment facilities. If you or a loved one are battling alcohol abuse or drug addiction, you don’t have to endure it alone. To learn about your recovery options, contact us today.

Alcohol use disorder is a leading driver of death throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization, “harmful use of alcohol” is responsible for around 3 million deaths per year, equating to about 5.3% of all deaths. AA has been around for more than 85 years, but scientific evidence didn’t start to build about its effectiveness until around the 1990s, Kelly says. All Addiction Resource content is medically reviewed https://ecosoberhouse.com/ or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible. It has been nearly 30 years since the symbol’s last official use, but the iconic triangle and circle continue to hold significant meaning for AA members around the world. Attendees are also invited to pick up “A Desire to Stop Drinking Chip,” also known as the “24-Hour Chip” or the “Surrender Chip.” This chip symbolizes the commitment to remain sober for 24 hours.

STEP: Solution To Every Problem

Step 12 involves paying it forward by sharing your story, the Al-Anon principles, and how they positively affected your life. Step 6 is about accepting yourself and your family, including flaws and mistakes, and then asking your higher power to remove them what does aa stand for alcohol and believing that you deserve it. After your self-discovery work in Step 4, you likely will have a list of secrets you would rather keep hidden. However, doing so will prevent you from obtaining freedom from the effects of external alcohol misuse.

• Since so many people who struggle with alcoholism are plagued with constant fear, AA uses the term “fear” and flips it on its head to make everything seem a little less scary.
• Step 6 is about accepting yourself and your family, including flaws and mistakes, and then asking your higher power to remove them and believing that you deserve it.
• These meetings are entirely voluntary; there is no requirement to attend and they are free to anyone with a loved one with an alcohol use disorder.
• Outcomes were also improved for individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health issues.
• Alcoholics Anonymous offers two types of meetings⁠—open and closed meetings.

Only people who have a drinking problem are eligible to join AA. The only qualification for membership is the desire to stop drinking. However, the organization reinforces that it is not interested in who made the referral to A.A. Others attend due to pressure from a loved one or because they are required by the court, such as after being arrested for drunk driving. QTIP is a useful acronym for those moments when criticism or negativity affects our serenity. It’s a reminder not to take everything personally and to focus on our recovery journey.

The three-part answer of recovery, unity, and service on the sides of the triangle are in direct response to the three-part disease of alcoholism, with its physical, mental, and emotional aspects. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. NIAAA’s study also revealed that the highest success rate was for people who participated in formal treatment and AA. Alcoholics Anonymous offers two types of meetings⁠—open and closed meetings. Anyone can attend an open meeting, but closed meetings are for members only.