How to Act at an AA Meeting

Walking into a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous can be intimidating. All your coping skills, including that good stiff drink, have been stripped away. As with any group, AA has a protocol regarding behavior. Meetings around the world follow pretty much the same formats and carry the same expectations for members and guests.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Look for the coffeepot or literature table. Fixing yourself a cup of coffee or leafing through the pamphlets will give you something to do while you assess the situation.
2. Make eye contact or smile and say hello to someone at the coffeepot. AA members are trained to spot newcomers and hopefully someone will offer a handshake and an introduction.
3. Find and take a seat. While comfort is not high on the list when you are new to meetings, try to sit where you can see most of the people in the room. In large rooms, it is often best to sit near the front where you will hear the chairperson make important announcements.
4. If you're a woman, put your purse on the back of your chair or on the floor. Holding it in your lap is a defensive body language movement and may keep folks from approaching you.
5. Raise your hand when the chairperson asks for newcomers to introduce themselves. Say: "My name is ____, and I'm an alcoholic." This identity statement is universal and says it all. Do not elaborate on your situation or your feelings at this time.
6. Watch how the meeting progresses. Some meetings require members to raise their hand before speaking, while at other meetings, people just jump in and start speaking, always introducing themselves as alcoholics before saying anything else.
7. Observe proper etiquette. Turn off your cell phone or put it on vibrate if necessary.D o not interrupt while someone is speaking. Do not talk to your neighbor while someone is speaking to the group. Do not use your last name or the names of others when you do speak during the meeting.
8. Rise with the group at the end of the meeting. Hold hands in the circle and repeat the prayer with which they end the meeting. If you are not comfortable with the prayer, it is perfectly acceptable to stand silent in the circle.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring a soft drink or bottle of water if you don't drink coffee to keep your hands occupied.
• Go to the restroom before the AA meeting.