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Independent provider profile

Alcoholics Anonymous

A free international fellowship of peer-led meetings for people who have a desire to stop drinking, with local, online, and phone options.

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Decision facts

What to confirm before choosing this service

Meeting details are maintained largely by local A.A. entities. Recheck the official local listing before attending.

Operated by
Alcoholics Anonymous
Coverage
International; local service offices and meeting availability vary
Contact
Local service office · in-person meeting · online meeting · phone meeting · Meeting Guide app
Hours
Varies by group; in-person, online, and phone meetings may be available
Languages
Language availability varies by local service office and meeting. Use the local or online directory and confirm the individual listing.
Eligibility
The stated membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. Open meetings may allow observers; closed meetings are intended for members or people with a desire to stop.
Cost
A.A. states there are no dues or fees for membership. Groups may accept voluntary contributions; travel, connectivity, or literature can create optional costs.

Quick answer

Is this the right kind of help?

It may fit when

People who want abstinence-oriented peer connection and are comfortable exploring a Twelve Step fellowship.

It is not designed for

Medical detox, emergency response, diagnosis, therapy, medication management, or support directed primarily to family and friends.

Service role: Peer-led Twelve Step mutual support; not clinical treatment

What the service can help with

  • Connects people with peer-led groups centered on stopping drinking and supporting one another’s recovery.
  • Offers open and closed meeting formats as well as in-person, online, and phone options in many areas.
  • Does not charge dues or fees for membership; groups may accept voluntary contributions.

What to expect when you make contact

Getting started

A person uses the official local-service locator or online meeting directory and checks the meeting description.

During the contact

Meeting formats can include discussion, a speaker, literature, or study of the Twelve Steps; groups are led by members rather than clinicians.

What comes next

Newcomers can ask the local service office or group contact what “open,” “closed,” online, and accessibility details mean for that meeting.

Privacy considerations

Personal anonymity is a core fellowship tradition, but local venue, group, directory, and video-platform practices vary. Confirm whether a meeting records, requires registration, or exposes a legal name or camera.

Privacy rules belong to the outside provider. Read its current terms before sharing information that could affect your decision to use the service.

Accessibility and practical checks

  • Local groups vary in venue access, schedule, language, culture, spiritual framing, hybrid technology, and privacy.
  • Open meetings can be attended by people interested in learning about A.A.; closed meetings are for people who identify a desire to stop drinking.
  • Peer meetings do not manage potentially dangerous alcohol withdrawal; seek medical help to plan a safe change after prolonged heavy drinking.

Questions to answer before relying on it

  • Does the meeting format, language, spiritual framing, and abstinence focus fit what you are seeking?
  • Is the meeting open or closed, and are newcomers given a current contact or access instructions?
  • What professional, medical, or crisis support will be used alongside peer meetings when needed?

Important limits and safety notes

  • A.A. is a peer fellowship, not a treatment provider, and individual group experiences vary.
  • The desire to stop drinking is the stated membership requirement; people wanting a moderation-focused route may prefer a different option.
  • Use the official service locator because third-party meeting lists can become outdated.

Backup routes

Alternatives to compare

SMART Recovery — secular, skills-focused mutual supportNIAAA Navigator — professional treatment comparisonSAMHSA National Helpline — treatment referral

Original contribution

What YouMatter adds

YouMatter places A.A.’s eligibility, open/closed distinction, local-data ownership, optional costs, privacy questions, and secular or clinical alternatives in a single decision view.

How this option differs

Best for people seeking an abstinence-oriented Twelve Step fellowship. SMART offers a secular, goal-flexible skills model; NIAAA and SAMHSA cover professional treatment navigation.

Primary-source trail

Official information used for this profile

Each link goes to the provider or program owner. The note beside it identifies which decision fields it supports.

Verification record: Primary sources were manually checked on August 25, 2026 and must be rechecked by October 9, 2026 to remain eligible for indexing. Manual comparison of the official homepage, local-service locator, and meeting-information FAQ. Services can change sooner; confirm the current official terms before contact.