What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. AA provides a free, peer-supported program through regular group meetings available in cities across the United States, including numerous locations in Tennessee.
The program emphasizes anonymity, fellowship, and mutual support as key components for recovery. Each meeting offers attendees a safe space to share experiences, challenges, and successes related to sobriety in a non-judgmental environment.
101 S Poplar St, West Tennessee Intergroup, Jackson, TN
Meeting Time: 2:00 PM daily
Meeting Type: Discussion, Open
This meeting at West Tennessee Intergroup is an open discussion group welcoming anyone interested in recovery. Attendees share their experiences and support one another through guided conversations led by members with varied lengths of sobriety.
2053 Hollywood Dr, REBOS Clubhouse, Jackson, TN
Meeting Times: Noon and 6:00 PM
Meeting Types: Noon – Rebos Noon, Open meeting; 6:00 PM – Came to Believe Group, Open meeting
The Rebos Noon meeting provides an open forum for members to discuss recovery topics openly, fostering inclusive support. The Came to Believe Group at 6:00 PM also embraces open discussion but often delves into spiritual aspects of the 12 Step program to strengthen members’ recovery foundation.
3116 W Antioch Rd, Antioch United Methodist Church, West Tennessee
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Meeting Type: Closed meeting
This is a closed meeting designed exclusively for those who identify themselves as having a drinking problem and wish to pursue sobriety. The session focuses on sharing, confidentiality, and working through the 12 Steps in a supportive atmosphere.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
This step acknowledges the need for help and the reality of alcohol’s control over life. - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
This step encourages faith in a higher power as a source of guidance and strength. - Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
It involves trust and surrender to a spiritual support system. - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Members assess personal behaviors and patterns to understand their impacts. - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Sharing faults openly promotes honesty and humility. - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
This step prepares members to change negative traits. - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
It involves seeking spiritual help to overcome personal flaws. - Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Encourages accountability and readiness to repair relationships. - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
This step practices restitution and healing. - Continued to take personal inventory and when wrong promptly admitted it.
Ongoing self-monitoring and responsibility are emphasized here. - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
Encourages spiritual growth and mindfulness. - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.
Focuses on service to others and maintaining sobriety.
Getting Started with AA in Tennessee, USA
The best way to find local AA meetings across Tennessee is by searching on wfmh.org. This website provides comprehensive listings of both in-person and virtual AA meetings available in most locations statewide.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
AA meetings in Tennessee offer both open and closed formats to accommodate different comfort levels and needs. Understanding their differences can help new members choose the best meeting for them.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Any individual may attend, including those curious about AA, family, or friends. These meetings allow observers to better understand the program. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to those who have a desire to stop drinking. Confidential and focus exclusively on member participation and recovery work. |
- Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member to foster connection and receive support.
- Share your experiences during the meeting if you feel comfortable; sharing is voluntary and can be profoundly therapeutic.
- Receive welcome keychain tags marking sobriety milestones as encouragement and recognition of commitment.
Keychain Tag Milestones
| Milestone | Description |
|---|---|
| 30 Days | This tag celebrates one month of continuous sobriety and is a symbol of new beginnings. |
| 60 Days | Marks two months of sustained recovery, encouraging perseverance through ongoing challenges. |
| 1 Year | Recognizes a full year of sobriety, a significant achievement demonstrating long-term commitment. |
| Etc. | Additional tags exist for longer milestones such as multiple years, celebrating continued sobriety and personal growth. |