What to Expect When You Join
The 24-Hour International Marathon Meeting of A.A. is an open meeting that runs continuously 24/7. A new meeting with a fresh A.A. topic begins at the top of each hour. If you would like to share, raise your virtual hand. The chairperson calls on hands in the order they are raised.
The booklet "Living Sober" has many practical suggestions for gaining and maintaining sobriety. Regarding A.A. meetings, it says:
Like practically everyone else who has gone to an A.A. meeting, you'll probably be very surprised the first time. The people you see around you look mostly normal, healthy, reasonably happy, and successful. They do not look like old-fashioned cartoon drunkards, bums, or fanatic dried-up teetotalers.
What's more, you'll usually find us quite a friendly bunch, doing a lot of laughing—at ourselves. That is why, if you are hung-over, an A.A. gathering provides a cheerful environment for getting past the hangover and beginning to feel much, much better (p. 75)
The 24-Hour International Marathon Meeting of A.A., where sobriety never sleeps, is dedicated to carrying A.A.'s life-saving message of hope and recovery globally to the alcoholic who still suffers. Individuals seeking support for drug problems and substance use disorders may benefit from professional treatment programs, government resources, rehabilitation services, family support organizations, and other recovery programs and fellowships. Alcoholics Anonymous is not affiliated with any outside agency or enterprise.
Related Pages
- New to A.A.? Start Here — a gentle first step if this is your first meeting
- Quick Answers — short answers to common questions about joining
- Frequently Asked Questions — more detail on anonymity, sharing, and the meeting format