What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free support group designed to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. It operates through a network of regular group meetings that provide a safe, confidential environment for sharing experiences and encouraging recovery. For those in the Atlanta area, more details can be found at https://www.wfmh.org/aa/georgia/fulton/atlanta.
AA meetings are widely available across cities in the United States, including multiple locations throughout Georgia, Fulton County, and Atlanta. These meetings offer peer support, guidance, and the opportunity to work through AA’s established recovery program.
North Atlanta AA Meetings – Peachtree Presbyterian Church
Address: 3434 Roswell Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Meeting Times and Details:
- Monday 8:00 pm (Closed Meeting): This meeting is limited to individuals who identify as having a desire to stop drinking, providing a focused peer support environment.
- Tuesday 8:00 pm (Open Speaker Meeting): An open meeting welcoming anyone interested, featuring speakers who share their recovery stories to inspire newcomers and regular members alike.
- Saturday 8:00 pm (Open Speaker Meeting): Similar format as Tuesday, promoting an inclusive atmosphere where recovery experiences and insights are shared openly.
Downtown Atlanta AA Meetings – Central Presbyterian Church
Address: 201 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Meeting Times and Details:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 12:00 pm (Open Discussion): These midday meetings encourage open discussion among participants about challenges and progress in recovery, fostering mutual support during lunch hours.
East Atlanta AA Meetings – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Address: 25 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Meeting Times and Details:
- Sunday 6:00 pm (Closed Meeting): A closed meeting for those committed to sobriety, offering a confidential space to share personal experiences and recovery techniques.
- Thursday 8:00 pm (Closed Meeting): Another evening closed meeting focused on fostering trust and openness among members dedicated to overcoming alcoholism.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step recognizes the need for help and acceptance of addiction’s effects.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. It encourages belief in external support beyond individual control.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves surrendering control and trusting in a higher power.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members examine their behaviors and attitudes honestly.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This builds accountability and openness.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members prepare for personal transformation.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step involves active seeking of change and humility.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Recognizing the impact on others is essential to recovery.
- Made direct amends wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This step emphasizes responsibility balanced with care.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-reflection and honesty are vital.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out. This fosters spiritual growth.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Members commit to helping others and living by AA principles.
This 12-step program aims to motivate members toward positive and sustained change throughout Georgia, Fulton County, and Atlanta by fostering personal responsibility, spiritual growth, and community support.
Getting Started with AA in Georgia, Fulton, Atlanta, USA
The best way to find local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Georgia, Fulton, and Atlanta is by visiting wfmh.org. This website provides comprehensive, up-to-date listings of in-person and online AA meetings available in your area.
Most locations offer both face-to-face and virtual meeting options, ensuring accessibility for individuals regardless of their circumstances. The variety of meeting formats allows newcomers and existing members to participate comfortably and safely.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
When attending your first AA meeting in Georgia, Fulton, or Atlanta, it is helpful to arrive a few minutes early, introduce yourself as a new member, and listen to the group format. You can choose whether to share your experiences at your comfort level.
AA meetings can be categorized as open or closed, important to understand before attending. Members often receive welcome keychain tags to commemorate their sobriety milestones.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in alcoholism or recovery, including non-alcoholics, family, and friends. Focus is on sharing and learning. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking alcohol. This creates a more intimate and confidential setting. |
- Arrive early: Get familiar with the meeting location and introduce yourself.
- Share if comfortable: Speaking about your journey is encouraged but voluntary.
- Receive welcome keychain tags: Tokens are given to celebrate milestones in sobriety.
Keychain Tag Milestones
- 30 days: Celebrates the first month of sobriety, symbolizing initial commitment and progress.
- 60 days: Marks continued abstinence and strengthening sobriety habits.
- 1 year: Commemorates a full year of sobriety, a significant achievement in recovery journey.
- Additional milestones: Tags are also awarded at intervals such as 18 months, 2 years, 5 years, and beyond, recognizing sustained recovery efforts.