Are you leading an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and wondering what topic to discuss? Whether you are leading your first meeting or your 100th, an open meeting or even a speaker meeting, here’s a comprehensive guide to the most effective AA meeting topics that foster meaningful discussion and support recovery.
The topics discussed in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings often align closely with the 12-step process, offering a structured framework for addressing addiction and fostering personal growth. This time-tested approach helps individuals explore key themes like accountability, amends, and spiritual connection. At Radix Recovery in Iowa, these principles form the foundation for building lifelong sobriety.
Here’s a detailed guide to the most impactful Alcoholics Anonymous meeting topics that encourage engagement, sharing, and healing. These topics have been proven to generate meaningful discussions and support recovery journeys across diverse AA communities.
Table of Contents
- Spiritual Awakening
- Step 1
- Slogans
- Serenity Prayer
- Willing to go to any lengths
- Dealing with difficult people: Acceptance is the Key
- Gratitude
- Tradition 3
- One Day at a Time
- Humility
- Serenity Prayer Full Version
- The Promises
- Step 9
- Step 5
- Too Busy for Meetings
- Triggers
- Tradition 11
- Service
- Online Meetings
- Maintaining Sobriety
- Identify, Don’t Compare
- God of My Understanding
- Step 10
- The Still Suffering Alcoholic
- Addictive Personality
- Mental Health and Recovery
- Sponsorship
- A New Freedom and A New Happiness
- Altered Attitudes
- How It Works
- Unity, Service, and Recovery
- Physical Craving
- Higher Power
- Forgiving Others
- Money and Financial Security
1. Spiritual Awakening
It’s fascinating to hear about everyone’s experience with the personality change that brings about recovery from alcoholism in Alcoholics Anonymous. A spiritual awakening, or spiritual experience, is a powerful and profound shift in consciousness that opens up new ways of perceiving the world and one’s own self. There’s an explanation in the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book Appendix II. Appendix II is where the famous quote by Herbert Spencer says, “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance–that principle is contempt before investigation.”
There’s a deep spiritual component to AA meetings. It is not a church; keep that in mind. Each individual finds a Higher Power of their own understanding, making this topic universally relatable yet deeply personal.
2. Step 1
Perfect for beginner meetings and open meetings, Step 1 marks the beginning of our recovery journey. For those who have been around a while, this step can bring us back to the foundation of recovery. The first step reads:
STEP 1: We admitted we were POWERLESS over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.
This can feel overwhelming for teens and young adults. Fortunately, specialized adolescent residential treatment centers in California for young people can help them through this challenging beginning. These centers offer medical support and recovery plans tailored specifically for their age group. Some people at AA meetings might have been in a treatment center. Others might have come from churches, or a friend might have told them about Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s always enlightening to hear how people in AA decided to give up drinking.
3. Slogans
AA slogans are powerful tools for recovery:
- Live and Let Live
- Keep It Simple
- Easy Does It
- But for the Grace of God
- Think…Think…Think…
- Time Takes Time
These phrases are commonly spoken at AA meetings or displayed on the meeting room’s walls. If you’ve attended AA meetings, you’ve certainly used these terms or heard them spoken by long-time AA members. A good way to lead off with this topic is to ask how the slogans help you with sobriety and daily life challenges.
4. Serenity Prayer
The Serenity Prayer is recited at most AA meetings, sometimes during the opening and sometimes during the closing.
GOD, GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. AMEN
This topic opens up discussions about how this prayer helps each individual navigate life’s challenges. AA members often share personal stories of reciting the prayer during stressful situations or when they lose hope. This creates powerful, healing conversations.
5. Willing to go to any lengths
This concept comes directly from the AA Big Book in Chapter 5, How It Works:
IF YOU HAVE DECIDED YOU WANT WHAT WE HAVE AND ARE WILLING TO GO TO ANY LENGTH TO GET IT – THEN YOU ARE READY TO TAKE CERTAIN STEPS.
The meeting attendees can steer the discussion in several directions. Some may discuss the steps and how we must be willing to complete them. Others might share what lengths they went to get alcohol and how they used to do anything to get the next “fix.” In sobriety, we apply the same determination, but instead, we do anything to stay sober.
6. Dealing with difficult people: Acceptance is the Key
This is both challenging and enlightening. We all encounter difficult people in our lives, and this topic helps members learn coping strategies. The discussion can reference the Serenity Prayer, emphasizing that we can only change ourselves. The slogan “live and let live” also applies here. There’s a story in the back of the Big Book called “Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict,” which states:
WHEN I AM DISTURBED, IT IS BECAUSE I FIND SOME PERSON, PLACE, THING OR SITUATION – SOME FACT OF LIFE – UNACCEPTABLE TO ME, AND I CAN FIND NO SERENITY UNTIL I ACCEPT THAT PERSON, PLACE, THING OR SITUATION AS BEING EXACTLY THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE.
7. Gratitude
Gratitude is a cornerstone topic for AA meetings. An AA Grapevine article from November 1957 states that “gratitude and serenity are two sides of the coin of sobriety.” It is often said that a grateful alcoholic is a sober alcoholic.
While gratitude is typically discussed in AA meetings during November (considered “Gratitude Month” in AA circles), this topic can be used at any time of the year and always generates meaningful sharing.
8. Tradition 3
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Most alcoholics, including myself, feel very fortunate that the only requirement for AA membership is a desire to quit drinking. I’m grateful no one told me membership requires completing a moral inventory and making amends to those I’ve harmed before joining. AA has no social or financial requirements. This tradition embodies the inclusive spirit of AA.
9. One Day at a Time
Perfect for beginner’s meetings or when Getting Back to the Basics, “One Day at a Time” is always a favorite in Alcoholics Anonymous and other recovery programs. Many newcomers feel overwhelmed when considering life without alcohol. The concept of One Day at a Time is found in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous on page 85, where Wilson reminds us that as individuals with addictions, we are not cured just because we have abstained for some time.
Dr. Bob and Bill W used this phrase when helping Bill D (Alcoholic #3) because he was overwhelmed with the thought of stopping drinking “forever.” They said, “You can quit for 24 hours, can’t you?” Bill D remained sober until his death 19 years later.
10. Humility
Humility is closely tied to Step 6:
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Discussion questions for this topic include:
- Is humility the same as being humble? What’s the difference?
- What does it mean to humbly ask?
- What are examples of humility you have witnessed both in AA and outside AA?
- How do you practice humility in recovery?
- How does humility relate to recovery?
- What does the Big Book say about humility?
11. Serenity Prayer Full Version
Most of us only know the short version of this prayer. Here is the complete version:
God, grant me the Serenity To accept the things I cannot change… Courage to change the things I can, And Wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
AMEN
How does this extended version deepen our understanding of the prayer? This topic often leads to rich discussions about surrender, acceptance, and faith.
12. The Promises
We hear The Promises at every meeting and might even know them by heart. New members and visitors may not understand their significance, making this an excellent topic for discussion meetings.
“If we are painstaking about this phase of our development we will be amazed before we are halfway through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook on life will change, fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these unrealistic promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will materialize if we work for them.”
Have all these promises become true for members, or only some? Remember that they will materialize if we work for them.
13. Step 9
This is often the most intimidating step for many in recovery.
Step 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
The fear of rejection and reopening old wounds is terrifying. Many have apologized in the past only to let people down again. This step requires careful consideration and often sponsor guidance.
Discussion questions include:
- Do we have unreasonable expectations of what can happen?
- If we stole something, how will we offer to repay it?
- Are we using potential harm as an excuse to avoid difficult conversations?
- How do we practice restraint if the person responds negatively?
14. Step 5
While Step 4 (moral inventory) may be intimidating, Step 5 requires us to admit our wrongs, demanding rigorous honesty.
Step 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
This step involves sharing our inventory with our sponsor or another trusted person. It’s often where we face potential humiliation but also experience profound relief and healing.
15. Too Busy for Meetings
Sometimes we claim we’re too busy for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Many believe that when you least want to attend a meeting, you need to go most.
Questions for discussion:
- What effect does skipping meetings have on our sobriety?
- How do meetings provide support through sharing and listening?
- When we feel too busy for support groups, is our sobriety at risk?
16. Triggers
Understanding what triggers a desire to drink is vital for sustained sobriety. When triggers strike, having a plan is essential. Phone calls to sponsors or other AA members should be among our first responses. Sometimes the next right thing is to find a meeting, as AA meetings help us refocus and regain perspective.
17. Tradition 11
Attraction is often how new members are drawn to their first AA meeting. The eleventh tradition reads:
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films
This tradition emphasizes that AA’s growth comes through attraction rather than promotion, and personal anonymity protects both individuals and the fellowship.
18. Service
Service is at the heart of recovery. From setting up chairs to sponsoring newcomers, service opportunities abound. Discussion focuses on what service means, how it helps the recovery process, and how helping others strengthens our own sobriety.
19. Online Meetings
Many online meetings are now available, with improvements continuing to be made to meeting platforms. These became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to serve people who are far from meeting locations or have physical limitations.
Discussion questions:
- How do online meetings compare to face-to-face meetings?
- Does technology improve or weaken the meeting experience?
- Are online meetings still valuable post-pandemic?
20. Maintaining Sobriety
The AA preamble states:
Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
This topic explores how we maintain sobriety and how the AA program helps. It also examines how we contribute to others overcoming their alcohol addiction, drawing from Bill W’s visit to Dr. Bob during his own struggle to avoid drinking.
21. Identify, Don’t Compare
We hear diverse stories in our meetings, and everyone’s experience is different. This can confuse newcomers who might compare their “bottom” to others’, potentially questioning whether they need AA at all. This topic emphasizes finding similarities in feelings and experiences rather than comparing circumstances.
22. God of My Understanding
This topic explores various concepts of Higher Power. We need open minds when discussing this subject, as people’s understanding of their Higher Power varies widely.
Questions include:
- How do we understand our Higher Power?
- Why is the concept of “God of My Understanding” important in AA?
- How has your understanding evolved over time?
23. Step 10
Recovery is a lifelong process requiring ongoing attention.
Step 10. Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
This step emphasizes that sobriety requires ongoing self-examination and course correction. It’s not enough to complete the steps once; recovery demands continuous growth and honesty.
24. The Still Suffering Alcoholic
Why should we bother reaching out to those still suffering? While the world teaches us to look after ourselves, in AA, the primary purpose includes helping others achieve sobriety. This topic explores how we can ensure newcomers feel welcomed and want to return.
25. Addictive Personality
Many alcoholics have addictive personalities, often struggling with multiple substances or behaviors. Some members also attend Narcotics Anonymous for drug addiction. This topic examines whether the AA recovery program addresses the broader spectrum of addictive behaviors.
26. Mental Health and Recovery
AA acknowledges that some members have mental health challenges:
There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest.
This topic addresses how we support members with depression, PTSD, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, especially newcomers who may be struggling with both addiction and mental health issues.
27. Sponsorship
Sponsorship represents one of the greatest services we can provide in AA. This topic explores the qualities of a good sponsor, how to approach sponsorship, and how long someone should be sober before sponsoring others.
28. A New Freedom and A New Happiness
We once had drinking problems, but now we can experience joy in sobriety. Bill W called this the “fourth dimension of existence”:
How dark it is before dawn! In reality that was the beginning of my last debauch. I was soon to be catapulted into what I like to call the fourth dimension of existence. I was to know happiness, peace, and usefulness, in a way of life that is incredibly more wonderful as time passes.
This topic explores whether members truly feel this joy of living and what contributes to or hinders this experience.
29. Altered Attitudes
Compared to our past, we should have changed dramatically in our attitudes. If we’ve become sober but our attitudes remain unchanged, we might be experiencing what’s called being a “dry drunk.” True recovery requires emotional sobriety as well as physical sobriety.
30. How It Works
The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous were the first structured step recovery program, now used for various types of substance abuse. This topic examines how the steps work together, how each step logically follows the previous one, and whether any steps are more important than others.
31. Unity, Service, and Recovery
These are the three legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Unity: We come together for a common purpose—to stay sober
- Service: We serve other alcoholics and our communities
- Recovery: We continue pursuing recovery and expanding our spiritual lives
These three legacies are often printed on AA chips and represent the core values of the fellowship.
32. Physical Craving
The AA Big Book addresses the physical component of alcoholism:
…the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind. It did not satisfy us to be told we could not control our drinking just because we were maladjusted to life, that we were in full flight from reality, or were outright mental defectives. These things were true to some extent, in fact, to a considerable extent with some of us. But we are sure that our bodies are sickened as well. (pg. xxiv)
This topic explores how alcoholism affects both mind and body, and how recovery addresses both aspects.
33. Higher Power
In Step 2, we come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This topic explores how we develop and deepen our relationship with our Higher Power, what names we use for that Power, and how this relationship evolves in recovery.
34. Forgiving Others
Step 5 teaches us to forgive others and recognize our part in conflicts. Page 58 of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions states that “often it is while working on this step (Step 5) with our sponsors or spiritual advisors that we first felt truly able to forgive others, no matter how deeply we felt they wronged us.”
35. Money and Financial Security
This sometimes “taboo” topic often generates spirited discussion. One of the Promises states that “fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us.” (AA Big Book pg. 84)
Discussion questions:
- How do you handle fear of economic insecurity?
- What role does money play in recovery?
- How has your relationship with money changed in sobriety?
Conclusion
These 35 topics provide a solid foundation for meaningful AA meeting discussions. The AA Big Book offers countless additional possibilities, and there are ten more traditions beyond the two mentioned here, providing even more discussion opportunities.
Remember, the goal of any AA meeting topic is to foster sharing, connection, and growth in recovery. Choose topics that resonate with your group’s needs and encourage honest, open discussion about the challenges and rewards of sober living.
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All quotes are from the book Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as the Big Book, and other official AA literature. This content is intended for educational purposes and to support recovery communities.