Is A.A. for me?

Family members or close friends are welcome at Open A.A. meetings. Call Central Office to find out.

Yes, people who have been drinking sometimes attend A.A. meetings. They are welcome to attend, but they may be asked not to speak while intoxicated, but to listen instead.

In our experience, the people who recover in A.A. are those who:

• Stay away from the first drink
• Attend A.A. meetings regularly
• Seek out the people in A.A. who have successfully stayed sober for some time
• Try to put into practice the A.A. program of recovery
• Obtain and study the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous

We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic. It’s a decision that each drinker has to make for themselves. But if, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic. And A.A. can help!

If you repeatedly drink more than you intend or want to, if you get into trouble or have memory lapses when you drink, you may be an alcoholic. Only you can decide. It is often suggested, attend six meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and listen for the similarities in the stories of others.

They will be there for the same reason you are there. Our Traditions tell us to not disclose our identities to outsiders. You retain as much anonymity as you wish. That is one of the reasons we call ourselves Alcoholics Anonymous.

No. A.A. does not keep membership files, or attendance records. You do not have to reveal anything about yourself. You are always welcome; the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. We are here when you are ready for help.

There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership. Groups usually take a voluntary collection during the meeting to cover the meeting expenses and members contribute as they are able to.

Traditionally, most A.A. members through the years have found it important to belong to one group that they call their “home group.” This is the group where they accept service responsibilities and try to sustain friendships. And although all A.A. members are usually welcome at all groups and feel at home at any of these meetings, the concept of the home group has remained the strongest bond between the A.A. member and the Fellowship.

A sponsor is essentially an alcoholic who has made some progress in the A.A. recovery program and shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through A.A. We urge you to not delay in asking someone to be your sponsor. Alcoholics recovered in A.A. want to share what they have learned with other alcoholics. We know from experience that our own sobriety is greatly strengthened when we share the solution.

Published in 1939 under the title “Alcoholics Anonymous,” the Big Book is the basic textbook outlining the program of action for recovery from alcoholism through Alcoholics Anonymous. In addition to describing the disease of alcoholism and the spiritual steps toward recovery, the Big Book contains dozens of personal stories from people who have recovered from alcoholism using the A.A. program.

There are many types of meetings, but at any meeting you will find alcoholics talking about what drinking did to their lives and personalities, what actions they took to help themselves, and how they are living their lives today. An A.A. meeting may take one of several formats, including those specifically geared toward beginners and those featuring speakers, where one sober member shares their experience, strength and hope. Generally, our experience indicates that the best meeting to attend is the first one you can get to.

A.A. Meeting schedules for San Francisco and Marin are available in a number of formats. Our online schedule can be searched by location and meeting type. You may download a schedule in a PDF format. We also sell printed schedules through our online store or in our bookstore at 1821 Sacramento Street at Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco.

When you go to an A.A. meeting you don’t have to give your name. Some groups will invite newcomers to introduce themselves by their first name only. At some meetings a sign-in sheet may be circulated for the chairperson to use during the meeting — no one has to sign it. All participation in A.A. meetings is voluntary.

Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all of A.A.’s Traditions. Please respect this custom and treat in confidence who you see and what you hear. Likewise, you can count on others to respect your anonymity.

It’s not necessary to explain why you’re there. If you’re called on and prefer to remain silent, just say, “I’ll pass.” Anyone is free to simply sit and listen at meetings.

If a judge, school or employer has suggested you attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, they may believe there is evidence that you have a drinking problem. If you have an attendance card to be signed, most A.A. meeting secretaries will be happy to do so. Take a look at a current meeting directory. You’ll see the days, times, and places A.A. meetings are held. Meetings marked with a (C) are closed meetings — and only for people who have a desire to stop drinking.

No. Nor is it allied with any religious organization.

The majority of A.A. members believe that we have found the solution to our drinking problem not through individual willpower, but through a power greater than ourselves. However, everyone defines this power as he or she wishes. Many people call it God, others think it is the A.A. group, still others don’t believe in it at all. There is room in A.A. for people of all shades of belief and non-belief.