What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide, free support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. The program provides a structured approach to sobriety through regular group meetings fostering mutual support and accountability and is detailed by World Forum for Mental Health. AA meetings are held regularly across cities in the United States including various locations in Georgia Fulton County and Atlanta.
AA meetings are open to anyone who desires to stop drinking and offer an inclusive environment regardless of background or beliefs. These meetings employ different formats, such as open and closed meetings, speaker sessions, and discussion groups, each designed to support recovery in unique ways.
Peachtree Presbyterian Church – North Atlanta
Address: 3434 Roswell Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
- Monday, 8:00 PM (Closed Meeting): A meeting restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking, providing a confidential and safe environment for sharing personal experiences.
- Tuesday, 8:00 PM (Open Speaker Meeting): Open to anyone interested. A member or guest speaker shares their journey of recovery followed by a group discussion.
- Saturday, 8:00 PM (Open Speaker Meeting): Similar format to Tuesday’s meeting, offering an opportunity for attendees to hear diverse stories and perspectives on recovery.
Central Presbyterian Church – Downtown Atlanta
Address: 201 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 12:00 PM (Open Discussion): Open to all, participants openly share their experiences and challenges with alcohol addiction in a supportive and interactive group discussion format. These mid-day meetings offer accessibility for working members.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church – East Atlanta
Address: 25 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
- Sunday, 6:00 PM (Closed Meeting): Strictly for individuals committed to abstinence from alcohol, providing a confidential space to discuss ongoing recovery struggles and successes.
- Thursday, 8:00 PM (Closed Meeting): Follows the same closed format with focused sharing and peer support, creating consistency throughout the week.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step recognizes the loss of control and the need for external help.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Members acknowledge faith or hope in a higher power as a key to recovery.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Emphasizes surrender and willingness to accept guidance.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members examine their past behaviors and character flaws honestly.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Promotes humility and openness in sharing personal faults.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Demonstrates readiness to change harmful habits and attitudes.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Seeks spiritual support in overcoming personal flaws.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Encourages accountability and reconciliation with others.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Practicing restitution that fosters healing and trust.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. This step emphasizes ongoing self-reflection and correction.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Encourages maintaining spiritual growth and mindfulness.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs. Members commit to helping others and living by the AA principles daily.
Getting Started with AA in Georgia, Fulton, Atlanta, USA
Individuals seeking help with alcohol addiction in Georgia, Fulton, and Atlanta can locate local AA meetings by searching on wfmh.org. This site is the best resource for finding scheduled meetings in specific areas, including options for both in-person and online/virtual formats, accommodating various personal preferences and needs.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
When attending your first AA meeting in Georgia, Fulton, or Atlanta, it is useful to understand the difference between open and closed meetings and what to expect in each.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested, including members, non-members, family, and friends. These meetings often include discussions, speaker presentations, or literature study. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to individuals who identify as having a desire to stop drinking. This private setting fosters a safe space for personal sharing. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new member and familiarize yourself with the group setting.
- When comfortable, share your experiences, though there is no obligation to do so.
- At your first meeting, you may receive a welcome keychain tag recognizing your milestone in sobriety.
Common AA Keychain Tag Milestones:
- 30 days: Marks the first month of sobriety and commitment to recovery.
- 60 days: Celebrates two months of continuous abstinence and growing strength.
- 1 year: Represents a significant achievement of one full year of sobriety, reflecting dedication and change.