Only you can decide if you want to give A.A. a try. If you are struggling like we all once were, we invite you to attend a meeting. We hope that listening to our experience, you will think,
"Yes, that happened to me", orAlcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.
“We are not an organization in the conventional sense of the word. There are no fees or dues whatsoever. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking, We are not allied with any particular faith, sect or denomination, nor do we oppose anyone. We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted.” – Alcoholics Anonymous, Forward to the First Edition, pp.xiii – xiv
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous, reminding us always to place principles before personalities; our program ensures that each member’s privacy is respected, providing a safe environment for recovery by keeping identities confidential and maintaining personal anonymity at all public levels, including websites and digital platforms, so that all who seek help may do so with comfort and peace of mind.
More information on Anonymity in A.A. is available from the General Service Office:
Northern Illinois has hundreds of meetings each week. Some are online and some are in person. Each meeting is different. We suggest attending a variety of meetings while you are trying to decide if A.A. is for you.
A.A. Area 20 is divided into multiple Districts. Each district has a phone number and list of meetings.