I've been tracking my drinks for 2 years, first time I reach such a sober streak - and I feel really better!
this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2026
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'Closed' means that only people with a drinking problem can come in.
"Open" means that you can bring a friend, or that anyone with an interest in the program can come in. Anniversary meetings are usually open so people's families can come.
"Meditation" means that they dim the lights and silently meditate.
"Speaker" means someone shares their personal journey for 15 minutes or so.
"Literature" means they read from The Big Book, the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions, or other AA books.
Another jargon you'll hear is 'sponsor.' A sponsor is an AA who you feel comfortable with. Some people pick a temporary sponsor at their first meeting. Other people wait until they feel comfortable. It took me two years before I got one.
Most meetings take a minute at the start to ask if there is anyone new to the meeting. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. If you're online you can usually send a private message to the host and ask for phone numbers or information.
My suggestion for you would be to find a seven day a week meeting you can get to every day. It can be early morning before work/school; or at noon on your meal break; or before you go to bed. I started out going to the same meeting every day after work and a couple of weekend meetings near me. Other people like to drop in whenever they feel the need. Some newcomers spend all day in meetings. Personally, I could only handle one a day at the start.
You can go to an online meeting. Name yourself 'Just Listening'. Most will let you leave the camera off. As long as you don't interrupt you can stay. You can also message the host if you want to know more. Each meeting is differnet, and Zoom bombers have been a problem, but generally newcomers are given plenty of leeway.
Good luck
I heard this story from an oldtimer.
Back in the day, he was in a cheap hotel in Philadelphia. There was a bar in the lobby.
He spent all night holding onto the bed, because he knew if he let himself get up he'd drink.
My first few months I went to speaker meetings so I'd hear stories like that.
I know people who got sober while working in bars and restaurants.
I'll never say it isn't tough, because I needed a 28 day 'vacation' and constant job testing to dry out and get my feet on the path.
But with the right team, anything is possible.
The booziest towns have the best sobriety.
New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, LA, San Francisco all have tons of meetings.
It's one day at a time. Sometimes, it's one minute at a time.
Search out the right meetings and get a bunch of phone numbers.
I once called a guy and told him that I was practicing making calls. He got it.
Start with the online meetings.
Plenty of 'Zoom babies' got sober during Covid without ever meeting in real life.
https://www.nyintergroup.org/meetings/?type=active
That's just the New York ones.
There's one local group called 'Never Had A Legal Drink.' People who decided to get sober before they turned 21.
Also, the International Conference of Young People In AA.
https://www.icypaa.org/
Be seeing you.