San Jose AA Meetings, Counseling, & Support
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AA Meetings in San Jose, CA
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a program for people who have a drinking problem. AA meetings are held in cities all over the world, offering support to alcoholics who want to stop drinking. Though the AA fellowship was originally started to help individuals suffering from alcohol addiction, many people who have other addictions also attend the meetings. Alcoholics Anonymous is free and there are no leaders, therapists, or medical professionals, and no accountability for attending meetings. It is a program of one addict helping another, and there are many people who attain long-lasting recovery by working the program of AA.
How Does Alcoholics Anonymous Work?
Alcoholics Anonymous works using a 12-step approach to recovery. This model is based on idea that individuals who are in recovery are the best people to help other alcoholics achieve and sustain abstinence from substances. This is attained by members working with a sponsor (someone who has more sober time and has worked the 12 steps) and working through the steps of the program. Getting a sponsor is not a requirement, but it is strongly encouraged.
During AA meetings, members share their experience, strength, and hope with each other and provide support to one another. One of the main principles of AA is anonymity. Only first names are used in meetings, so that anonymity is kept, and members are not allowed to talk about what is said within the group outside of meetings.
Benefits of AA Meetings
AA meetings provide members with several valuable benefits, including:
- It’s free – There is no cost for AA, anyone who has a desire to stop drinking can be a member for free. AA is self-supporting, so members can make small donations during the meeting to help cover costs of things like coffee and AA literature.
- Meetings are structured – AA meetings last an hour, and they follow a specific format.
- There’s a sense of community – The sense of community within AA groups is strong, and members support each other without judgement.
- It uses sponsorship as a tool – AA members are encouraged to work with a sponsor to go through the 12 steps.
- There are many available meetings – Meetings are available all over the world. In bigger cities, like San Jose, there may be hundreds of meetings offered each month, at different times of the day, and in different formats, so there is nearly always support available.
Finding an AA Meeting in the San Jose Area
San Jose has many AA meetings every week, at various times of day. That means that anyone who has a genuine desire to stop drinking alcohol or using drugs can find much needed support at nearly any time. While AA isn’t a substitute for addiction treatment for those who need it, the program is a very helpful recovery tool. Many rehab centers encourage individuals to go to 12-step meetings regularly after they complete treatment.
Final Thoughts about the AA Meetings
The above information can be changed at any time, so always be sure to check your local resources, contact a AA branch directly, or find it online to ensure that you have the right location.
