Los Angeles is often known as the city where your dreams come true. Yet, there is another side to LA – marked by the struggles of substance use disorders like alcoholism. These struggles are often experienced in isolation, as finding a sense of community can become challenging. However, this is where Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) comes in. Rooted in community, 12-step, and experience, AA meetings in Los Angeles offer you a lifeline.
Given AA’s robust presence in LA, finding the right room for you is like finding your home. You can feel like the universe is speaking directly to you.
What Makes AA Meetings in Los Angeles Stand Out?
LA is home to thousands of AA meetings. But in a city as huge and diverse as LA, what makes these meetings stand out? There are a few things to consider here:
- Format and Focus – AA meetings follow a set format, like reading from the Big Book, reflection on the 12 steps, and sharing stories. This set format provides structure and focus for your alcohol addiction recovery.
- Community Spirit – What embodies these peer support groups in LA is the community spirit. Every AA group you find will be welcoming, and the diverse crowds make all the difference.
- Accessibility – It does not matter where you are in LA; it is most likely that there is an AA group near you. Even if you are living in remote/underserved areas, you can simply access these meetings on Zoom and other virtual platforms, as LA-based AA meetings thrive on online and hybrid models, too.
AA Meeting Formats That Match Your Needs
While AA meetings in Los Angeles do thrive on a certain format, it is not necessary that every format meets your recovery needs or goals. So, if you are not sure what the meeting is to begin with – here are some AA meeting formats for you that can better inform you on what to expect:
- Open Meetings – Anybody can attend these meetings. It is ideal if you are just exploring, beginning, or wanting to support someone else in their recovery.
- Closed Meetings – Closed meetings are limited to those who have the desire to stop drinking, so they are more intimate and focused.
- Newcomer Meetings – These meetings are tailored for those in early recovery, so they are more focused in terms of guidance and support.
- Speaker Meetings – Every meeting, one person shares their journey through addiction recovery. This can offer inspiration and direction to others in their recovery.
- Specific Meetings – There are AA meetings tailored to specific groups, like women, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and others. They provide environments that honor your identity and lived experiences in relation to alcohol use.
- Step Study Meetings – AA principles are based on the 12 steps of recovery – these involve admitting powerlessness over addiction, opening up to seeking help, introspection and making amends, and ongoing growth and service. You and other participants will navigate one of the twelve steps together in every meeting.
- Big Book Meetings – Readings from “Alcoholics Anonymous,” otherwise known as the “Big Book,” are followed by discussion.
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Los Angeles’ Top AA Meetings: How to Find One?
AA meetings in Los Angeles do not have any official rankings that put one on top of the other. But typically, what you will be looking for are welcoming and connected communities that honor your story and your journey toward sobriety.
The top AA meetings in Los Angeles are:
- Open and respectful to all.
- Have a set, focused format that involves 12 steps, story sharing, group reflections, and personal growth.
- It consists of a strong group of participants, comprising both newcomers and older participants.
If you are new to AA or are looking to rejoin one after a relapse, then you can use the Internet to search for “Top AA meetings near me.” You will be directed to online directories that list the meetings near you. You can check out the websites, look at the kind of AA group they are, read success stories and other frequently asked questions before you choose to join one. If you cannot attend these meetings in person, you can also attend them via Zoom links or phone.
Please remember, it is not always the case that you walk into the right AA room right away. You might even have to attend a few meetings before you decide what is the right fit for your sobriety needs and goals.
When AA Makes All the Difference: Real Stories
If you are a first timer or returning to a meeting after a long time, walking into an AA meeting can feel overwhelming. You can experience a range of fears of not being able to belong to the whole thing simply not working out. However, AA meetings in Los Angeles are very open and welcoming. Someone can say something to you, and it just hits home. Here is a story that a member anonymously shared after attending an AA meeting:
“Finding the right meeting was difficult for me. I kept going back and forth, drinking in between. But one day, as I was searching for the top AA meetings near me, I came across a meeting in Santa Monica, and it just felt like home. I stayed after the meeting to meet and socialize. Someone was kind enough to give me their number – the person became someone I talk to. It has been three years now, and I still go there every Saturday. But the greatest thing is, I have never looked back.”
How to Choose the Perfect AA Meeting in Los Angeles?
If you are still unsure where to begin, you can follow these steps:
- Begin With Exploring – Even when you use the Internet to zero in on the meeting you want to attend, do not commit to it right away. There are different styles of AA meetings in different neighborhoods. Do not lock yourself into a box – begin by exploring, and you will find the one that fits right in with what you are looking for. What we mean is, do not get discouraged if you do not find the right one right away.
- Consider Identity‑Specific AA Groups – If you are a young adult, woman, member of the LGBTQIA+ community, or a veteran – there are specific AA groups made for you. You can consider these groups over the others so that you can find one that aligns with your identity.
- Be Open to Growth – It is not necessary that everything you hear in an AA meeting hits home for you – you might not connect with everyone and everything. This is okay. Just keep showing up.
- Find a Sponsor – Once you feel comfortable with an AA group, consider finding a sponsor – the person who will help you navigate the 12 steps by offering one-on-one support. Your AA group can help you with this.
Recovery Awaits – You Just Need to Show Up
Recovery does not happen overnight – it happens one step at a time. AA meetings in Los Angeles can be your one step at a time – you can choose them as a stand-alone option or even along with rehabilitation (rehab) and treatment.
If you are unsure where to begin, you can reach out to Sober Living West. We are always available for you at (310) 218-5158, and we will help you find the right room where you will feel seen, heard, and understood.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use online directories or apps to filter meetings by location, time, and type.
Use the Internet to find locations and formats of AA meetings. Attend different ones until you feel one that is safe and supportive to you.
Yes, many meetings are specifically designed for young adults, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and veterans for safer and more relatable spaces.
Yes, LA has a strong network of online and hybrid meetings available from morning to night via Zoom or phone. These are just as effective as in-person meetings.
No, AA meetings are completely free. While voluntary contributions may be collected, they are never required.