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What is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international fellowship of people who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. AA groups meet in-person and hold support meetings to help members achieve sobriety.
Manhattan AA Meetings
St. Peter’s Church
- 619 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022
- Meetings daily at 12:15 PM, open speaker discussion
Perry Street Workshop
- 64 Perry St, New York, NY 10014
- Meetings Tues, Thurs, Sat at 7:30 PM, closed discussion
LGBT Center
- 208 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011
- Meetings Wed at 6:30 PM, open LGBTQ meeting
Brooklyn AA Meetings
Ridge Baptist Church
- 8605 Ridge Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11209
- Meetings Mon, Fri at 8 PM, open speaker and step study
Redemption Lutheran Church
- 420 Classon Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
- Meetings daily at 10:30 AM, closed discussion
Queens AA Meetings
113-10 Farmers Blvd, Jamaica, Queens, NY 11432
- Meetings daily at noon, open speaker discussion
- Spanish-speaking meeting Mon at 7:30 PM
The 12 Steps of AA
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a mutual support program for people struggling with alcohol addiction. The foundation of the program lies within its suggested 12 steps that serve as spiritual guidelines to facilitate recovery. The steps aim to motivate members toward positive change across communities.
- Admit powerlessness over alcohol – acknowledge being unable to control drinking.
- Believe in a higher power – recognize the existence of a spiritual element that provides strength.
- Decide to turn will over – make a commitment to entrust one’s life over to God/higher power’s care.
- Take moral inventory – courageously yet honestly assess one’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Admit wrongs – share the exact nature of mistakes with God/higher power and another person.
- Become willing – cultivate openness to remove all negative qualities blocking God/higher power.
- Ask God/higher power – humbly request the removal of shortcomings.
- Make list of harmed and become willing – identify all persons hurt through actions/inactions and pursue reconciliation.
- Make direct amends – apologize and offer restitution, except when doing so would injure self/others.
- Continue inventory and promptly admit when wrong; sustain self-appraisal and confession practices.
- Seek through prayer/meditation – bolster spiritual connection to improve consciousness of God’s will and gain power for its execution.
- Carry the message – disseminate principles learned to help other alcoholics in their recovery.
Getting Started with AA in New York
Use the meeting search on wfmh.org to find local meetings in your area. New York has both in-person and online/virtual AA meetings available.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
There are two main types of AA meetings in New York:
- Open meetings – Anyone is welcome to attend, including non-alcoholics. These focus on introducing newcomers to AA.
- Closed meetings – Only those who have a desire to stop drinking may attend. These involve more personal sharing for those working in the program.
When attending your first meeting:
- Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member.
- Share your experiences if you feel comfortable.
You may receive welcome keychain tags marking sobriety milestones like:
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 90 days
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 1 year
- 18 months
- Years 2-30
The most important things are attending regularly, participating if willing, and getting support. There are many great local members to connect with in New York for wisdom and fellowship.