Alcoholics Anonymous is the original 12-step program and continues to be the longest-standing in the world. If you are looking for AA meetings near you, read on to learn more.
What Is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide organization dedicated to assisting people struggling with alcoholism to reach sobriety. It was created in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio, with the goal of assisting individuals through rehabilitation and peer support programs.
AA is most known for its Twelve Steps, which are a series of guiding principles that provide a path to recovery from alcoholism. These steps include admitting powerlessness over alcohol, recognizing a higher power that can provide strength, examining past mistakes with the assistance of a sponsor (experienced member), making amends for these errors, learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior, and assisting others who suffer from alcoholism.
What Stage of Recovery Does AA Happen?
It usually happens during treatment, after detox has finished. Many facilities encourage meeting with AA or other 12-step programs on a regular basis to ensure sobriety. Many people who struggle with addiction will continue to attend AA meetings long after completing treatment as well.
What Other 12-Step Programs Are There?
In addition to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), there are many other 12-step programs that focus on a variety of addictions and compulsive behaviors. Here are some notable ones:
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Al-Anon Family Groups
- Nar-Anon Family Groups
- Overeaters Anonymous (OA)
- Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
- Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
- Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)
These programs all follow a similar 12-step approach, emphasizing personal responsibility, support from peers, and spiritual growth. Each program tailors its message and strategies to address the specific issues faced by its members.
How Does Alcoholics Anonymous Help?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) helps individuals achieve and maintain sobriety through a unique blend of peer support, personal accountability, and spiritual growth.
Here’s how AA assists its members:
- Community Support: AA meetings provide a community of individuals facing similar challenges, creating a strong, accessible support network. Members often find comfort in sharing their experiences with others who understand and empathize without judgment.
- Regular Meetings: The consistent schedule of AA meetings offers dependable support, which can be crucial for maintaining sobriety, especially in early recovery or during difficult times.
- Anonymity and Safety: AA emphasizes anonymity, allowing individuals to share personal experiences and struggles openly. Meetings offer a safe, welcoming environment centered on recovery and mutual respect.
- Structure and Guidance: The structured Twelve-step approach helps participants work methodically through recovery. Newcomers benefit from sponsorship, receiving personal guidance and support from a more experienced member.
- No Cost: AA meetings are free, making them accessible to anyone, regardless of financial situation.
- Positive Routine: Regular attendance encourages the development of a positive routine, supporting self-care and healthy habits.
- Sponsorship and Mentorship: New members are often paired with sponsors—experienced members who offer guidance and personal support through the 12 steps and in navigating recovery challenges. This mentorship is a valuable source of motivation and accountability.
- Focus on Self-Reflection: The 12 steps encourage members to take an honest look at their lives, make amends for past actions, and work toward self-improvement. This focus on personal growth helps members rebuild self-esteem and develop a stronger sense of self-worth.
Through these components, AA creates a holistic approach to recovery that has helped millions worldwide overcome alcohol dependence and build fulfilling, sober lives.
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Call 866-881-1184How Can I Find AA Meetings Near Me?
There are AA chapters all across the country, so chances are one is in your area.
Here are several ways to find AA meetings near you:
AA Website
The official AA website (www.aa.org) has a meeting locator tool where you can search for meetings by location. Many local AA chapters also have their own sites with updated schedules and information on in-person and virtual meetings.
Social Media
Many AA groups share meeting information on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. By searching for AA groups in your area, you can often find schedules, updates, and even community discussions.
Referral from a Treatment Center
Treatment centers, counselors, or rehab facilities can provide information on local AA meetings. They often have close ties to AA groups and can recommend meetings that best suit your needs and schedule.
Looking for quality substance abuse treatment that’s also affordable? South Coast accepts most major insurance providers. Get a free insurance benefits check now.
Check Your CoverageAlcohol Addiction Treatment Near Me
If you or a loved one are seeking treatment for addiction, South Coast Behavioral Health is here to help. The first step in treating addiction is a medical detox. This means using drugs to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Our medical detox program in California is staffed by caring and compassionate professionals who can provide you with medications to manage your withdrawal symptoms.
At South Coast, we take pride in offering care that is closely tailored to specific issues. To that end, we offer gender-specific detox programs, with medical detox for men in Irvine, CA, and medical detox for women in Huntington Beach, CA.
After detoxing, proper treatment can begin.
Treatment for substance abuse takes place along an entire spectrum of care. Along that entire spectrum are various behavioral therapies, support groups, and the use of medically-assisted treatment (MAT).
These levels of treatment are, in order, as follows:
Residential Treatment in California
After successfully completing medical detox, you’ll receive inpatient treatment in Orange County, California. There, you’ll receive medically-assisted treatment and dual diagnosis treatment to deal with any cravings or co-occurring mental health issues you may be battling.
We also offer residential treatment facilities in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Huntington Beach for those who desire gender-specific treatment. There, patients get round-the-clock medical attention and monitoring while living at the institution full-time.
In addition to individual and group counseling and medication management, you’ll also have access to leisure activities and family support services.
Partial Hospitalization in California
Most clients start substance abuse treatment with South Coast in our residential treatment program. After completing that, many desire something that still provides structure and support but with extra space and time to oneself. For that, we offer Partial Hospitalization in Newport Beach.
A step down from inpatient care but with more structure than conventional outpatient programs, partial hospitalization offers a good balance for those looking to ease back into normal life. Clients can receive care five to seven days a week for a number of hours each day, returning back to their homes in the evening.
This way, they can recover without putting their daily lives completely on hold, receiving intense therapeutic interventions like group and individual therapy, skill development, and medication management as necessary.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment in California
For those leaving inpatient residential treatment or partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are yet another gradual step forward on the road to recovery.
With a focus on group therapy, individual counseling, and education, clients undergoing Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Newport Beach can meet three to five days a week. Each session lasts three hours.
This level of care requires the least amount of attendance at a facility.
Get Started Today
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction but wonder how long addiction treatment takes or have other questions, call us at 866-881-1184 or contact us here. Our highly qualified staff will be happy to help give you an idea of what to expect from your addiction recovery timeline, verify your insurance, and assist with any other questions you may have.
