curliQ

I'm looking into the AA meetings in my area. I'm not sure if all of AA has the same type of meetings but if someone could explain what these mean I'd appreciate it.

12x12
Big Book Study
Closed meeting
Discussion
Grapevine
Living Sober
Open Meeting
Podium

I think I get the other ones, ie women's meetings, smoking allowed, men's meetings.

NOMOMERLOTMAMMA

12x12: Step meeting. Takes the steps one by one. Reading and discussion
Big Book Study: Read from the Big Book, then discuss
Closed meeting: usually for folks who are alcoholics, non alkies don't usually attend.
Discussion: Pick a topic then discuss
Grapevine: Never heard of this..discuss topics from the grapevine?
Living Sober: Also never heard..can assume take topics from Living Sober?
Open Meeting: Anyone can go...not just alkies.
Podium: Again, no idea lol.

I might sound clueless but I attend a step meeting, a Big Book meeting (my favorite) and usually a speaker meeting (open, maybe this is the podium meeting mentioned?)

Karen

curliQ

So do you have to be invited to a closed meeting? Do they verify your alkieness?

barb dwyer

LOL

CurliQ -

'closed' meeting means it's limited to alcohlics in recovery,
and the discussion is limited to alcoholism.

I know. I thought that, too at first. Good for you asking questions!

nandm

Here is what my understanding is:
12x12: a meeting based on topics and/or a study of the 12 steps and 12 traditions. A great tool for learning how to apply the 12 steps and 12 traditions in your life and practice the principles of AA
Big Book Study: a meeting based on learning more or studying the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. A great way for a newcomer to get a better understanding of AA and how the program works
Closed meeting: A meeting that is open only to those that are alcoholics. Many times students, families, or court ordered people will attend AA to learn more or be with a family member. A closed meeting does not allow these people to attend allowing for the alcoholic to be able to speak freely without the worry of someone who is not an alcoholic judging them.
Discussion: A meeting where a chairperson shares their experience, strength, and hope and then presents a topic for the group to discuss.
Grapevine: I am unfamiliar with this type of meeting.
Living Sober: I am unfamiliar with this type of meeting but I believe it is loosly based on the study of the book "Living Sober" which is put out by Hazelden.
Open Meeting: A meeting that anyone curious about Alcoholism can attend whether or not they are an alcoholic.
Podium: This is usually a meeting where anyone who is called on to share has to come up to the podium to speak. Many people in early recovery are not comfortable with this type of meeting.
Hope this helps answer your questions.

barb dwyer

Grapevine is a meeting that's probably discussion based from the latest Grapevine issue.

CarolD

Please go over to our Alcoholism 12 Step Forum
the top sticky has 2 links of meeting information.

Click here

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-about-aa.html

Good to know your interested ..AA recovery rocks!
:

curliQ

Thanks all!! I didn't realize that others would go to AA meetings too. It helps. Seems like we have a lot of different meetings going on, about 7 a day on the slowest day.

Thanks for all the info.

NOMOMERLOTMAMMA

Curli,

That cracked me up! Yes, they verify your alkieness.."here's my blood tests, and my laminated card".

ha ha ha

lostmdboy

In my area if a non-alkie comes to a closed meeting it is opened up for them to stay. I really do not know why the put it in the scedule. Antway remember there are no rules; so you do not have to worry about breaking them.

barb dwyer

there's a couple of meetings here they won't open up.

like one meeting a year's sobriety is required.

one - ya gotta be a woman.
another - same thing - but a man.

that kind of thing - I'd call before jumping a bus or anything.