What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global support group designed for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. It provides a free, confidential program that helps members achieve and maintain sobriety through shared experiences and mutual support. Across the United States, including https://www.wfmh.org/aa/indiana, AA offers regular group meetings that create a supportive environment for recovery.
In Indiana, AA meetings are held in various cities, where members gather to share stories, challenges, and strategies for maintaining sobriety. These meetings are accessible to all, with no fees, and follow a structured yet flexible format suited to the needs of participants.
Greenwood United Methodist Church
525 N Madison Ave, Greenwood, IN
Meetings time: Thursdays at 11:30 AM
The “12 & 12” meeting at this location follows a study format focusing on AA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, encouraging members to deepen their understanding of recovery principles. It combines spiritual reflection with group sharing, fostering a close-knit atmosphere for personal growth.
Carvel Club
4627 Carvel Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Meetings time: Daily at Noon
This noon meeting is an open discussion group that welcomes newcomers and long-term members alike. It provides a casual setting where attendees discuss their current challenges and successes, reinforcing community support and practical advice for coping with sobriety.
Third Street Church of God
427 3rd St, South Bend, IN
Meetings time: Daily at 6:00 AM
The “Upon Awakening” meeting here offers early morning support, ideal for those starting their day with encouragement and accountability. Its format encourages personal sharing with a focus on motivation and planning for maintaining sobriety throughout the day.
The 12 Steps of AA
- Admitting powerlessness: Members acknowledge their inability to control alcohol and that their lives have become unmanageable. This admission is the first step toward change.
- Believing in a higher power: Accepting that a power greater than oneself can restore sanity and provide guidance in recovery.
- Deciding to turn will and life over: Members commit to entrusting their lives to the care of their chosen higher power.
- Making a moral inventory: Taking a fearless and honest assessment of one’s character, identifying strengths and weaknesses.
- Admitting wrongs: Confessing to oneself, the higher power, and another human being the exact nature of personal wrongs.
- Becoming ready for change: Preparing to have the higher power remove defects of character.
- Humbly asking for removal of shortcomings: Seeking help to overcome personal faults and weaknesses.
- Making a list of persons harmed: Listing everyone harmed and becoming willing to make amends to them.
- Making amends: Directly repairing harm done, except when it would cause further injury.
- Continuing inventory: Persistently monitoring personal behavior and promptly admitting mistakes.
- Seeking spiritual growth: Improving awareness through prayer and meditation to connect with the higher power.
- Carrying the message: Helping others struggling with alcoholism through sharing the AA experience and practicing these principles.
These steps aim to motivate members toward positive change by fostering responsibility, self-awareness, and community support throughout Indiana and beyond.
Getting Started with AA in Indiana, USA
Individuals seeking to start their journey with AA in Indiana are encouraged to search for local meetings at wfmh.org. This website is the most reliable resource for finding both in-person and online AA meetings in Indiana and across the USA. Most locations offer flexible meeting formats, including face-to-face gatherings and virtual sessions, providing accessibility regardless of geographical or scheduling constraints.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
When attending your first AA meeting in Indiana, it’s helpful to understand the difference between open and closed meetings. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in learning about AA, including friends and family of alcoholics, while closed meetings are limited to those who identify as having a drinking problem.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Available to anyone interested. Attendees include alcoholics, friends, family, and observers. Provides an inclusive introduction to AA principles. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to individuals who identify as alcoholics. Focuses on confidential sharing among those directly affected by alcohol addiction. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new local member and meet other attendees.
- Share your experiences if you feel comfortable; participation is optional but encouraged to foster connection.
- Receive welcome keychain tags to mark sobriety milestones during your journey.
AA members in Indiana often celebrate milestones with keychain tags, which symbolize commitment and progress:
- 30 days: Recognition of one month of continuous sobriety, marking initial stability.
- 60 days: Acknowledgment of sustained effort and deepening recovery.
- 1 year: Celebrates a significant year of sobriety, representing resilience and long-term commitment.