- Click the button.
- Zoom will open directly.
- You can just sit back and listen; you do not have to turn on your camera unless you want to.
- If you would like to share, raise your virtual hand. The chairperson will call on hands in the order they are raised.
New to A.A.? Start Here
If you think you might have a drinking problem and you're not sure what Alcoholics Anonymous is or how it works, you're in the right place. This page is a starting point for newcomers — a few honest answers and a way to join a meeting right now, any hour of the day or night.
Am I an Alcoholic?
Only you can answer that question. Many people who came to A.A. asked themselves the same thing before they ever walked into a meeting. If you'd like a simple, low-pressure way to think it through, see our Do You Have a Drinking Problem? page.
What Is A.A.?
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees, and A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution.
A Newcomer Asks
The A.A. General Service Office pamphlet "A Newcomer Asks" answers the questions most people have when they're new: What happens at a meeting? Do I have to talk? What if someone I know sees me there? It's a short, plain-language read written for exactly this moment.
Join a Meeting Right Now
You don't need to wait, sign up, or prepare anything. The 24 Hour International Marathon Meeting of A.A. is running right now, and there's a new session every hour, every day of the year.
- Click the button.
- Zoom will open directly.
- You can just sit back and listen; you do not have to turn on your camera unless you want to.
- If you would like to share, raise your virtual hand. The chairperson will call on hands in the order they are raised.
What Happens Next
Not sure what to expect once you join? Our What to Expect When You Join page walks through it step by step, including how sharing works and what "raising your virtual hand" means.
Keep Reading
- Quick Answers — short answers to the most common newcomer questions
- Frequently Asked Questions — more detail on attendance, safety, and anonymity
- A.A.'s Primary Purpose — why this Fellowship exists
- A.A.'s Three Legacies — Recovery, Unity, and Service
- A.A. Literature — more Conference-approved reading