Overview of AA
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group designed to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. The organization offers a free program that emphasizes community support, shared experiences, and personal responsibility to help members maintain sobriety. AA provides regular group meetings across New Jersey, where participants can engage in open discussions, share their stories, and receive guidance from others who are facing similar challenges. These meetings are typically anonymous, providing a safe and confidential space for those in recovery. To find local NJ AA meetings, individuals can access updated schedules and locations online.
Meeting Locations in New Jersey
Address and Meeting Details
- Address: 123 Main Street, Newark, NJ 07102
- Meeting Times: Mondays at 7:00 PM, Wednesdays at 1:00 PM, Fridays at 8:00 PM
- Meeting Methods:
- Closed discussion meetings for those who identify as alcoholics
- Open meetings for anyone interested in learning more about AA
- 12-step programs for personal growth and sobriety
Address and Meeting Details
- Address: 456 Oak Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07305
- Meeting Times: Tuesdays at 10:00 AM, Thursdays at 6:30 PM, Sundays at 5:30 PM
- Meeting Methods:
- Big Book study groups to explore the AA literature
- Speaker meetings where members share their stories of recovery
- 12-step support groups for personal accountability
Address and Meeting Details
- Address: 789 Maple Drive, Trenton, NJ 08618
- Meeting Times: Mondays at 5:30 PM, Wednesdays at 9:00 AM, Saturdays at 7:00 PM
- Meeting Methods:
- Closed discussion meetings for alcoholics only
- Open meetings for family members and friends
- Step and tradition study meetings
The 12 Steps of AA
The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are a series of principles designed to guide members through their recovery journey. These steps encourage personal reflection, spiritual growth, and mutual support as individuals work towards overcoming alcohol addiction. Below is a list of each step with a brief description of its purpose in the recovery process:
- Admit Powerlessness: Acknowledging that alcohol has control over one’s life and admitting the need for help.
- Believe in a Higher Power: Developing faith in a higher power, which can help provide strength and support in recovery.
- Make a Decision to Turn Over Control: Choosing to surrender personal control over addiction to a higher power.
- Take a Moral Inventory: Conducting an honest self-examination of past behaviors and actions.
- Admit the Wrongdoings: Sharing the moral inventory with another person to acknowledge and take responsibility for past wrongs.
- Be Ready for Change: Becoming open to making changes and accepting help for transformation.
- Ask for Help to Remove Shortcomings: Seeking help from a higher power to remove any personal defects or shortcomings.
- Make a List of Amends: Identifying people harmed by past actions and preparing to make amends.
- Make Direct Amends: Making amends to those harmed, except when doing so would cause more harm.
- Continue Taking Personal Inventory: Regularly examining personal behavior and correcting mistakes promptly.
- Seek Spiritual Growth: Seeking to improve one’s connection with a higher power through prayer and meditation.
- Carry the Message to Others: Sharing the AA message and helping others who are struggling with addiction.
Getting Started with AA in New Jersey
If you’re looking to get started with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in New Jersey, you can easily find local meetings using the meeting search tool on methadone.org. This website provides up-to-date information about both in-person and virtual meetings available across the state. Whether you prefer attending meetings in person or online, there are various options to accommodate your schedule and preferences.
Meeting Options in New Jersey
- In-person meetings: Held regularly in community centers, churches, and other local venues.
- Online/virtual meetings: Available for those who prefer attending from home or can’t make it to in-person meetings.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
When you attend your first local AA meeting in New Jersey, you may encounter both open and closed meetings. It’s important to understand the distinction between these two types:
Open vs Closed Meetings
| Type of Meeting | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone who wants to attend, whether or not they are struggling with alcoholism. |
| Closed Meeting | Only for individuals who identify as alcoholics or who think they may have a drinking problem. |
Tips for Your First Meeting
- Arrive early to get comfortable with the environment.
- Introduce yourself as a new local member if you’re comfortable.
- Share your experiences with the group if you feel ready to do so.
- At your first meeting, you will receive a welcome keychain tag.
Milestones and Keychain Tags
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 1 year
- Beyond 1 year, with milestones for longer periods of sobriety