Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, providing a free program with regular group meetings across various cities in the United States, including Texas, specifically in El Paso County and El Paso. These alcoholics anonymous meetings in el passo tx are designed to help individuals achieve sobriety and remain sober. The program is self-supporting, relying on voluntary contributions from its members, and does not charge dues or fees for participation.
What is AA?
AA is a fellowship of people who share their experiences, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem of alcoholism. The primary purpose of AA is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. The organization is not affiliated with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution and does not engage in any controversy.
Arid Club
The Arid Club is located at 3327 Douglas Ave, El Paso, TX. Meetings at the Arid Club include the “High Noon” meeting, which takes place daily at 12:00 PM. This meeting is an English open meeting, meaning it is open to anyone interested in attending, whether they are dealing with alcoholism themselves or supporting someone who is. The High Noon meeting provides a supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences and receive support from others in the community.
Northeast Fellowship
The Northeast Fellowship is situated at 4922 Hondo Pass Dr, El Paso, TX. It hosts the “Brown Bag” meeting, also occurring daily at 12:00 PM. This meeting is an English open meeting, welcoming both newcomers and existing members. The Brown Bag meeting is a casual, informal setting where participants can discuss their experiences and receive encouragement from others on their recovery journey.
St. Stephens Catholic Church
St. Stephens Catholic Church is located at 1700 George Dieter Dr, El Paso, TX. Here, the “Burning Desire” meeting is held daily at 12:00 PM. This is an English open meeting, providing a space for individuals to share their stories and connect with others who are facing similar challenges. The Burning Desire meeting is known for its supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere, helping members stay committed to their recovery.
The 12 Steps of AA
The AA program is structured around the 12 Steps, which are designed to guide individuals toward achieving sobriety and maintaining a positive lifestyle. Here is a detailed explanation of each step:
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step involves recognizing the inability to control alcohol use and how it affects one’s life.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step encourages members to seek help from a higher power or a spiritual source, which can vary based on personal beliefs.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. At this stage, members commit to seeking guidance from their higher power and letting go of personal control.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members are encouraged to reflect on their past actions and their impact on their lives and the lives of others.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This step involves confessing past mistakes to a trusted individual or spiritual advisor.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Here, members prepare themselves to let go of negative traits and behaviors.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. At this stage, members seek help from their higher power to overcome personal flaws.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Members identify those they have wronged and prepare to make amends.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This step involves taking action to repair relationships damaged by past actions.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Members continue to reflect on their actions and quickly correct mistakes.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. At this stage, individuals seek spiritual growth and guidance.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. The final step involves sharing the message of recovery with others and incorporating the principles into daily life.
Getting Started with AA in Texas, El Paso County, El Paso, USA
For those interested in attending AA meetings, the best way to find local meetings is by visiting the wfmh.org website. This platform allows individuals to search for both in-person and online/virtual meetings in their area. AA offers a variety of meeting formats to accommodate different preferences and needs.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
Attending your first AA meeting can be a significant step in the recovery journey. It’s helpful to know the differences between open and closed meetings:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to anyone interested in attending, including those who are not dealing with alcoholism themselves. These meetings are a good introduction to AA for newcomers. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to those who identify as alcoholics or have a desire to stop drinking. These meetings provide a more intimate setting for members to share their personal experiences. |
When attending your first meeting, it’s recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member. If you feel comfortable, you can share your experiences or simply listen to others. As a gesture of welcome and encouragement, many groups provide keychain tags to mark milestones in your recovery journey:
- 30 days: Celebrating a month of sobriety.
- 60 days: Recognizing two months of continuous sobriety.
- 90 days: Marking three months of sobriety.
- 6 months: Celebrating half a year of sobriety.
- 1 year: Recognizing a full year of sobriety.
- Yearly anniversaries: Celebrating each year of continuous sobriety thereafter.
These milestones serve as motivation and reminders of progress in the recovery journey.