Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a recovery program designed to help individuals recover from alcohol addiction. Only individuals with a drinking problem can become AA members or attend closed meetings. Individuals who have issues apart from alcoholism, such as chemical dependency or substance abuse, can gain membership, but only if they have an alcohol addiction, too. Here is more information on AA meetings and how you can attend them during outpatient rehab:
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What Happens at an AA Meeting?
AA meetings offer a place and time for individuals to talk about their experiences with alcohol addiction and recovery with other similar people in a group setting. The purpose of the meeting is to let everyone share their successes, challenges, and pain. Sharing their experiences gives new members a message of strength and hope.
In some meetings, you can share your experience if you prefer. In other meetings, people are called on to speak. Regardless of the case, you can listen and choose not to talk if you have social anxiety. You will find individuals with decades or days in recovery in any meeting. The meetings are usually held in churches, community centers, treatment centers, outpatient rehab, and other public facilities. These places are affordable, and there is no cost for one to participate.
What Are the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Steps?
Alcoholics Anonymous contains the 12 steps, traditions, spiritual mantras, and recovery stories. The 12 steps are designed to assist alcoholics to maintain sobriety and prevent a relapse. The Twelve steps include:
- Admitting that you’re powerless over your addiction and that your life has become unmanageable
- Believing in a greater power than yourself to restore sanity
- Deciding to turn over your life to God or a greater power
- Take a hard, long, honest look at your life and the mistakes you have made
- Admitting your wrongdoings to yourself, others, and God
- Getting prepared to have God change your character defects
- Praying to God to remove any shortcomings to change your life
- Identifying those you’ve hurt during your addiction
- Making amends with those you’ve hurt
- Continually self-monitoring your actions and admitting when you are wrong
- Praying to God to show you direction to maintain sobriety
- Putting into practice the 12 steps and spreading the message of recovery and faith to other addicts
Can You Attend AA Meetings During Outpatient Rehab?
AA meetings are open to individuals who have the will to stop drinking. Participants don’t have to live in the facilities during the sessions. People can keep attending AA meetings during outpatient rehab and receive ongoing support. While you are in a treatment center, you can be encouraged to keep attending 12-step meetings after completing drug treatment. These steps help individuals deal with the spiritual, mental, and psychological elements of addiction to alcohol. The steps are not designed to be completed all at once. They can be a lifelong process of maintaining sobriety, self-reflection, and progress. These groups can assist you to live a functional, healthy life and stay sober.
Choose the Right Outpatient Rehab to Attend AA Meetings
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide the emotional support that a person requires throughout their treatment journey. Find an outpatient rehab center offering AA meetings and the resources you need for recovery. Consider a facility that provides an AA support group comprising individuals who have gone through similar situations. You will feel comfortable when sharing your experience with others.