What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free support group designed for people struggling with alcohol addiction. It is available in cities across the United States, including Georgia, Chatham, and Savannah, where regular group meetings provide a welcoming environment for sharing experiences and mutual support, with more details and local meeting information available at https://www.wfmh.org/aa/georgia/chatham/savannah.
AA operates on a peer-support model that encourages members to achieve and maintain sobriety through shared experiences and the practice of AA principles. The program is free and open to anyone with a desire to stop drinking, with meetings held regularly across Georgia, Chatham, and Savannah, USA.
1501 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406
Meetings Time: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
This location, known as the After Five Group at the 24 Hour Club, hosts daily meetings with a focus on timely support after work hours. The meetings use standard AA formats including discussion and step-study styles, offering a consistent space for both newcomers and long-term members to connect and share.
8900 White Bluff Road, Savannah, GA 31406 (Recovery Place Church)
Meetings Time: Fridays, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
At the Recovery Place Church, the Broad Highway Group provides an inclusive AA meeting offering speaker and discussion formats. Members gather to discuss personal recovery stories and principles of AA, fostering a supportive bonding experience in a community-centered environment.
520 Washington Avenue, Savannah, GA 31405
Meetings Time: Tuesdays, 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Any Lengths Group holds meetings at this address focusing on flexible meeting lengths to accommodate different participants’ needs. These sessions emphasize open sharing and practical steps towards sobriety to help individuals sustain long-term recovery.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Recognizing the loss of control is the crucial first step toward recovery. - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
This step fosters hope that recovery is possible through acceptance and faith. - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
This step involves commitment to a new way of living with support beyond oneself. - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Members assess their behaviors and character defects honestly to identify areas for change. - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
This admission brings humility and accountability essential for healing. - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Readiness to change personal shortcomings prepares members for recovery progress. - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
An act of surrender and acceptance, paving the way for spiritual growth. - Step 8: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Accountability extends outward toward those affected by past actions. - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Repairing relationships helps restore trust and integrity. - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Ongoing self-reflection helps maintain sobriety and personal growth. - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
This enhances spiritual connection and guidance. - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Members share their recovery to help others and sustain their own sobriety.
This 12-step approach motivates members across Georgia, Chatham, and Savannah to pursue positive life changes and sustained sobriety.
Getting Started with AA in Georgia, Chatham, Savannah, USA
To find local AA meetings in Georgia, Chatham, and Savannah, the best resource is the official website wfmh.org. This site provides the most up-to-date information on meeting locations, times, and formats.
Both in-person and virtual meetings are commonly available, allowing individuals to choose the option that best fits their comfort and accessibility needs.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
In Georgia, Chatham, and Savannah, AA meetings are categorized as either open or closed. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in the AA program, including family and friends, while closed meetings are reserved exclusively for those who identify as having a drinking problem.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Any person interested in AA’s program may attend, including non-alcoholics, to observe or support. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to individuals who identify themselves as having a problem with alcohol, providing a confidential environment. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new local member; this helps facilitators welcome you and provide orientation.
- Feel free to share your experiences if comfortable; participation is voluntary and based on individual readiness.
- Receive welcome keychain tags at your first meeting to mark milestones in your sobriety journey.
Keychain Tag Milestones:
- 30 days: Recognition of one month of continuous sobriety, encouraging persistence.
- 60 days: Celebration of two months of sustained effort and dedication.
- 1 year: Significant milestone marking one year free from alcohol, symbolizing commitment and recovery progress.
- Further milestones include multi-year tags (e.g., 2 years, 5 years) acknowledging ongoing sobriety achievements.