Boredom and isolation may also compel you to drink. Attending regular AA meetings gives you structure and something meaningful to do during those times you may have once reached for alcohol. According to a study published in Alcohol Research, people with alcohol dependence are about 3.
Many addiction treatment centers include AA meetings in their inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. However, fees are often associated with alcohol rehab programs , even if your health insurance plan covers treatment. AA meetings outside of rehab are completely free to attend, which means you can maintain access to these therapeutic support groups without having to worry about fees or insurance claims.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT , motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management interventions are all evidence-based psychotherapies commonly used to treat substance use disorders.
There are far more pros of being a regular member of AA than being a casual member of AA. Being a casual AA member may also be suitable for you if you have a healthy daily structure and routine, and have a strong support network of friends and family devoted to helping you stay abstinent. Before you conclusively decide against going to regular AA meetings, take time to find an AA group that best aligns with your values and lifestyle. Sometimes it can take time to find the right AA group. If your main reason for wanting to be a casual member of AA involves not liking the support group you attended, keep in mind that many different AA groups are usually located in a city.
Having met with only one AA group does not mean you are obligated to keep meeting with that group—especially if you do not like how the group interacts or cannot connect well with certain people in the group. Today, a wide range of different AA groups cater to certain populations. Some closed AA groups are limited only to those in recovery from alcohol use disorder.
Some open AA groups welcome friends and relatives of those in recovery and addiction treatment experts and guest speakers. Privacy Guaranteed. No Commitment. AA meeting attendance is a personal choice. But is there a specific number of meetings you should try to attend? Does that number change depending on how long you have been sober? The answer always is: attend as many AA meetings as many as you need to feel adequately supported in your current challenges and victories.
Attending at least one meeting a week during the first six months after formal AUD treatment is associated with more sober days. While you will likely see a strong correlation between attending AA and maintaining sobriety as you begin recovery, the benefits of attending AA meetings do not go away after the first six months. Attending AA meetings for your first year of sobriety is associated with higher rates of abstinence from alcohol.
You may also find yourself going to more AA meetings during difficult life events. The peer support format of AA allows you to sit in community with others who understand the challenge of maintaining sobriety despite external and internal stressors, even if they do not have the same life experiences as you. This communal atmosphere can empower you to stay sober even if you choose not to share about the situations that are making it more difficult to stay sober during the meetings.
Thanks to the many AA chapter locations, you can usually find a meeting every day of the week. In larger cities, you may even be able to choose between several different daily AA meetings. Research suggests that support groups are beneficial during formal AUD treatment, even if you are also participating in group therapy that is facilitated by a licensed mental health professional.
But it is equally important to receive peer support outside of treatment programs, including after you complete one.
Family members or close friends are welcome at 'Open' AA meetings. Discuss this with your local contact. You can call us in complete confidence on , message us via our Live Chat box via this link , or email us at help aamail.
Remember that alcoholism is a progressive illness. Take it seriously, even if you think you are at an early stage of the illness. Alcoholism is a killer disease. If you are an alcoholic and if you continue to drink, in time you will get worse.
To find AA meetings and your local helpline number in Great Britain, and English-speaking meetings in continental Europe please click below. Search 'online' to see all currently registered online meetings updated daily. Call our National Helpline. Find a Meeting.
What is AA? Frequently Asked Questions Am I an alcoholic? What can I do if I am worried about my drinking? Seek help. Alcoholics Anonymous can help. What is Alcoholics Anonymous? For this we find we need the help and support of other alcoholics in AA If I go to an AA meeting, does that commit me to anything?
What happens if I meet people I know in AA? What happens at an AA meeting?
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