“Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”
Twelve Questions Only You Can Answer
Is A.A. for Me?
Do You Think You’re Different
A Brief Guide to A.A.
This is A.A.
A Newcomer Asks
Frequently Asked Questions About A.A.
“The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.“
How Do You Become an A.A. Group Member?
“The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking” (Tradition Three). Thus, group membership requires no formal application. Just as we are members of A.A. if we say we are, so are we members of a group if we say we are.
Self-support: The Seventh Tradition
There are no dues or fees for membership in A.A., but we do have expenses such as rent, refreshments, A.A. Conference-approved literature, meeting lists and contributions to services provided by the local intergroup (central office), district and area, and the General Service Office of A.A. In keeping with the Seventh Tradition a group may “pass the basket” for contributions, and members are encouraged to participate.
“We are not an organization in the conventional sense of the word… We are not allied with any particular faith, sect or denomination, nor do we oppose anyone. We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted.”
Big Book – Foreword to the First Edition pages xiii-xiv
In simple language, we are not a religious organization, nor do we require any such affiliation. We are bound in a kinship of common suffering, and by a program of action under the twelve steps that provide a way out. Our aim is to be inclusive, rather than exclusive, of all who suffer.
We have a few practices that may resemble what is observed in some religious practices, but they are found in many organizations, such as financial self-support. While many meetings occur in churches, the spaces are only rented to Alcoholics Anonymous. The relationship between Alcoholics Anonymous and religious organizations was forged in the earliest days of AA because many disheartened clergy sent their afflicted members to us for the unique help we provide. Throughout the years, religious, social and medical organizations have embraced the methods practiced in Alcoholics Anonymous as a pathway to permanent sobriety, one day at a time.
The unique remedy is found in a path to Spirituality, which begins for many of us as a reliance on the AA Group for support. The majority of members believe that our strength comes from a power greater than ourselves. Still, we are encouraged to “find our own conception” — it just has to be a power greater than ourselves. There is room for all shades of belief and non-belief. Many of us, in these skeptical beginnings, are surprised to tap into an unsuspected inner reservoir of strength, supported by our friends in the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, that we eventually identify as a Higher Power.
Many Pathways to Spirituality
The “God” Word: Agnostic and Atheist Members in A.A.
One Big Tent: Atheist and Agnostic AA members share their experience strength and hope
A.A. today represents “a membership whose characteristics – of age, gender, race and culture – have widened and have deepened to encompass virtually everyone the first 100 members could have hoped to reach.”
Big Book – Foreword to the Fourth Edition pg. xxiii
At “open meetings,” speakers tell how they drank, how they discovered A.A., and how its program has helped them. Members may bring relatives or friends, and usually anyone interested in A.A. is also welcome to attend “open meetings” as an observer.
“Closed meetings” are for alcoholics only. These are group discussions, and any members who want to may speak up, to ask questions and to share their thoughts with fellow members. At “closed meetings,” A.A.s can get help with personal problems in staying sober and in everyday living. Some other A.A.s can explain how they have already handled the same problems — often by using one or more of the Twelve Steps.
Do You Think You’re Different?
A.A. and the Armed Forces
A.A. for the Native North American
A.A. for the Older Alcoholic
A.A. for Alcoholics with Mental Health issues – and their Sponsors
A.A. for the Black and African American Alcoholic
A Message to Teenagers
Access to A.A. – Members share on overcoming barriers
Behind the Walls: A Message of Hope
Hispanic Women in A.A.
LGBTQ Alcoholics in A.A.
Problems Other Than Alcohol
Women in A.A.
Young People in A.A.
There are a variety of formats for A.A. meetings and each meeting takes on the feel of their local area. At most meetings you will hear members talk about what drinking did to them and to those around them. Most also share what actions they took to stop drinking and how they are living their lives today.
What to Expect at an A.A. Meeting
The A.A. Group…Where It All Begins
Questions & Answers on Sponsorship
Find A Meeting in Cincinnati Today!
Finding a meeting by your current location or zip code!
What’s the Difference Between Open and Closed A.A. Meetings?
The purpose of all A.A. group meetings, as the Preamble states, is for A.A. members to “share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” Toward this end, A.A. groups have both open and closed meetings.
Closed meetings are intended for A.A. members, i.e. those who have a desire to stop drinking. Open meetings are available to anyone interested in the Alcoholics Anonymous program of recovery from alcoholism. Nonalcoholics may attend open meetings as observers.
At both types of meetings, the A.A. chairperson may request that participants confine their discussion to matters pertaining to recovery from alcoholism. Whether open or closed, all A.A. group meetings are conducted by A.A. members who determine the format of their own meetings.
There are 686, meetings in 210 locations, in 103 regions in the Greater Cincinnati Area. About 65% are open and 35% are closed.
What Other Types of Meetings Are There?
In addition to “open” and “closed”, there are many different types of meetings in A.A.
In a lead meeting, one person tells their personal story. In a general way, they describe what life was like while drinking, how they found A.A., and how they apply A.A. principles in their life now.
In a discussion meeting, someone brings up a topic (such as “how do I not drink at a wedding reception?”, “how do I have relationships in sobriety?”, “how do I work Step 3?”, or anything related to alcoholism). Then those attending share their experience, strength, and hope on how they solved the problem through the principles of A.A.
In a literature meeting, a selection from an A.A. publication, such as the Big Book, 12&12, or one of many others, is read and then discussed by those attending.
Many meetings offer online options, Spanish language interpretation, or formats designed to increase accessibility for specific members, such as newcomers, young people, or LGBTQ. Each group is autonomous, and free to format their meetings as they see fit.
Is There a Difference Between a Meeting and a Group?
Most A.A. members meet in A.A. groups as defined by the long form of our Third Tradition: “Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group,
they have no other affiliation.”
However, some A.A. members hold A.A. meetings that differ from the common understanding of a group. These members simply gather at a set time and place for a meeting, perhaps for convenience or other special situations. The main difference between meetings and groups is that A.A. groups generally continue to exist outside the prescribed meeting hours, ready to provide Twelfth Step help when needed.
A.A. groups are encouraged to get listed with G.S.O., as well as with their local offices: Area, District, and Intergroup or Central Service Office. A.A. meetings can be listed in local meeting lists along with A.A. groups.
How Do You Become an A.A. Group Member?
“The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking” (Tradition Three). Thus, group membership requires no formal application. Just as we are members of A.A. if we say we are, so are we members of a group if we say we are.
©Reprinted from the Group pamphlet with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Copyright © 2018 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
If Anyone With a Desire to Stop Drinking Can Join, Then What Is a Sponsor?
“What does A.A. mean by sponsorship? To join some organizations, you must have a sponsor — a person who vouches for you, presents you as being suitable for membership. This is definitely not the case with A.A. Anyone who has a desire to stop drinking is welcome to join us!
In A.A., sponsor and sponsored meet as equals, just as Bill and Dr. Bob did. Essentially, the process of sponsorship is this: An alcoholic who has made some progress in the recovery program shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through A.A.
When we first begin to attend A.A. meetings, we may feel confused and sick and apprehensive. Although people at meetings respond to our questions willingly, that alone isn’t enough. Many other questions occur to us between meetings; we find that we need constant, close support as we begin learning how to “live sober.”
So we select an A.A. member with whom we can feel comfortable, someone with whom we can talk freely and confidentially, and we ask that person to be our sponsor.”
©Reprinted from the pamphlet Questions & Answers on Sponsorship with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Copyright © 2017 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Does It Cost Anything to Attend an A.A. Meeting?
There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership, or for attendance at A.A. meetings. A basket may be passed at an A.A. meeting for contributions to help cover group expenses (rent, refreshments, etc.) — these contributions are entirely voluntary, and not required for attendance. In accordance with the principle of self-support, A.A. groups do not accept donations from non-members.
Does A.A. Have Any Religious or Political Affiliation?
A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
If you have any other questions, we’re here to help. Call us at 513-351-0422, send an email to info@aacincinnati.com, or send postal mail to 2245 Gilbert Ave. Suite 304 Cincinnati, OH 45206. One of our staff or volunteers will be happy to hear from you.
Here’s a list of the next 20 upcoming meetings
Time
Meeting
Location
Region
9:30 AM
Big Book Study Meeting
Sharonville
10:00 AM
Good Morning Group
Florence
10:00 AM
Clubhouse Meeting
Batavia
10:00 AM
Clubhouse Meeting
Cincinnati Metro
11:00 AM
Island Of Misfit Toys
Anderson Twp
11:00 AM
An Alcoholic Like Me (Telephone Meeting)
Online
11:00 AM
New Hope Women's Meeting Women
Sharonville
Noon
Clubhouse meeting Russell Street Group
Covington
Noon
Daily Reprieve Group
Florence
Noon
We Care Group with Concurrent 12 &12
Cincinnati Metro
Noon
Clubhouse Meeting
Cheviot
Noon
Clubhouse Meeting
Batavia
Noon
Patience, Love, Tolerance (PLT)
Aurora
Noon
4th Dimension Group Big Book
Florence
Noon
Kenwood High Noon
Kenwood
Noon
Clubhouse Meeting
Cincinnati Metro
Noon
Promises At Noon Discussion Group
Newport
Noon
Downtown Noon Discussion
Cincinnati Metro
Noon
Harrison High Noon
SE Indiana
12:30 PM
Clubhouse Meeting
Sharonville