Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in New York

What Is Alcoholics Anonymous?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international fellowship of men and women who have had drinking problems. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. AA works by offering suggestions on how to change attitudes and behaviors and by giving support to alcoholics who want to stay sober.

Redeemer Church

Meetings:

• Monday at 8:00 PM (Closed Discussion)
• Tuesday at 6:00 PM (Closed Step Study)
• Friday at 6:00 PM (Big Book Study)

St. James Church

Meetings:

• Wednesday at 12:00 PM (Closed Discussion)
• Wednesday at 6:00 PM (Beginners)
• Saturday at 10:30 AM (Open Speaker)

Central Presbyterian Church

Meetings:

• Monday at 12:00 PM (Closed Step Study)
• Thursday at 6:00 PM (Closed Discussion)
• Sunday at 6:30 PM (Open Discussion)

The 12 Steps of AA

Alcoholics Anonymous outlines a 12-step program to help members achieve and maintain sobriety. The steps aim to motivate members toward positive change across New York.

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. Members accept addiction has overtaken rational control.
2. We came to believe a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Faith provides strength beyond personal willpower.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care and guidance of God as we understood Him. Letting go enables divine help.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Honest self-evaluation shows needed improvements.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Confession brings freedom through accountability.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Openness allows healing of shortcomings.
7. We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Prayer connects us to transformative power.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Forgiveness repairs broken relationships.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Reconciliation shows changed hearts.
10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. Ongoing reflection maintains awareness.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Alignment provides wisdom and strength.
12. 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. Helping others embodies the spirit of the steps.

Getting Started with AA in New York

Use the meeting search on udetc.org to find local meetings in your area. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available in most places across New York.

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 are good for first-timers.
• Closed meetings – Only those who have a desire to stop drinking may attend. These can provide more intimate sharing.

When attending your first meeting:

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early and introduce yourself as a new local member.
• Listen and 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 2-50