What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide support group specifically designed for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. It provides a community of people who share their experiences, strength, and hope to help each other achieve and maintain sobriety. AA meetings are widely available in cities across the United States, including Sacramento, California, and more information about local meetings can be found at https://www.wfmh.org/aa/california/sacramento-county/sacramento.
This program is free to join and operates through regular group meetings held throughout Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all who seek support. Meetings can be in-person or virtual, offering flexibility to members.
3501 2nd Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817
Meeting times: Daily meetings with varied schedules including morning, afternoon, and evening sessions.
Meeting details: This location is home to the North Hall Group, founded by LGBTQIA+ members of AA. The meetings focus on inclusivity, respect, and shared recovery principles. Free parking is available on surrounding streets with a respectful request to limit parking to designated areas. Meetings are typically open to all individuals wishing to stop drinking, fostering a welcoming environment for newcomers and veterans alike.
2625 Alta Arden Expressway, Sacramento, CA 94203
Meeting times: Regular meetings throughout the week, including virtual sessions.
Meeting details: This site hosts the Traditional Group meetings that include special sessions such as the Birthday Meeting which celebrates sobriety milestones with members sharing their journey since their last year’s anniversary. Virtual meditation meetings are also available, promoting mindfulness and calm alongside traditional recovery methods.
924 San Juan Road, Sacramento, CA 94203
Meeting times: Weekly meetings tailored to particular groups, including women-only or men-only sessions.
Meeting details: The Natomas Group offers gender-specific meetings like “As The Girls See It” for women and men’s meetings for men seeking fellowship with peers facing similar challenges. These sessions provide a focused atmosphere for targeted support, sharing, and encouragement within a safe setting.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step acknowledges the addiction’s impact, serving as the foundation for recovery.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Members develop faith in a higher power, however they personally define it, as a source of help.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves committing to trust a higher power to guide recovery efforts.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members examine past behaviors and character defects honestly to understand their roots.
- Admitted to God, ourselves, and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Confession of faults builds humility and accountability.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This step prepares members mentally and spiritually for change.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Members actively seek help to overcome personal faults.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Taking responsibility for harm caused to others is essential to healing relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Reparation efforts restore trust and clear the path for new interactions.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-awareness helps prevent relapse.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out. Spiritual practices maintain recovery motivation and strength.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Members give back by helping others and living the AA principles.
These steps aim to motivate members in Sacramento toward a sustained, positive change through personal growth and support.
Getting Started with AA in California, Sacramento, Sacramento, USA
The best way to find local AA meetings in Sacramento is by using the meeting search feature on wfmh.org. This resource provides up-to-date listings for both in-person and online/virtual meetings, accommodating various preferences and schedules.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
AA meetings in Sacramento come in two main types: open and closed. Open meetings welcome anyone, including family or friends, whereas closed meetings are exclusive to those who have a desire to stop drinking, ensuring privacy for participants.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open | Open to all persons, including non-alcoholics. Attendees can bring family or friends. |
| Closed | Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking, preserving the group’s anonymity and safety. |
- Arrive early (10-15 minutes) to introduce yourself as a new member.
- Share your experiences at your own comfort level; sharing is encouraged but never mandatory.
- Listen to other members’ stories and engage in a supportive community atmosphere.
- Receive welcome keychain tags marking initial sobriety milestones.
Common sobriety tag milestones include:
- 30 days: Celebrates the first month of sobriety, encouraging members.
- 60 days: Marks two months of continuous sobriety, reinforcing motivation.
- 90 days: Symbolizes the first quarter year of sobriety, a significant achievement.
- 6 months: A half-year milestone, showing sustained commitment.
- 9 months: Approaching the one-year mark, celebrating resilience.
- 1 year: A major milestone reflecting one full year of sobriety and recovery progress.