Perhaps by this point you’ve read a little on A.A., but are confused by some of the lingo. For instance, what is an Open A.A. meeting and what is a Closed A.A. meeting?
Basically, Closed meetings are solely for those who have a desire to stop drinking. If you aren’t ready to diagnose yourself as an alcoholic, or if you just have a general curiosity as to what happens at an A.A. meeting, then an Open meeting is for you!
Click here for a list of the Open A.A. Meetings in District 61!
Here are some examples of people who could benefit from an Open A.A. Meeting:
- Doctors or Psychiatrists and/or Social Workers who refer people to Alcoholics Anonymous or see patients with drinking problems and would like an insight into their disease.
- Al-Anon members or members of other Twelve-Step programs who would like to hear a message of hope.
- Members of the clergy who have congregation members with drinking problems.
- Lawyers, judges, or others in the legal profession who would like to see what happens at an A.A. meeting.
- Any person who was “sentenced” (whether in court, treatment, or by an authority) to a certain number of A.A. meetings.
- Family and friends of alcoholics still drinking or in recovery who want a better understanding of how A.A. works.
- Students attending classes in Psychology, Health, Health Services, Counseling, or Treatment programs.
- Anyone who is trying to decide whether he or she is an alcoholic.
Of course, those with a desire to stop drinking are also welcome to attend Open A.A. meetings. These meetings are a great place to hear the message of experience, strength, and hope that A.A. provides. They are also a good resource to find literature on Alcoholics Anonymous such as pamphlets, meditation materials, and the primary texts of A.A.
The best thing to remember when attending any meeting is that anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. In essence, this dictates that who you see and what you hear should be kept private.