What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide support group fellowship for those struggling with alcohol addiction, and many people find helpful meeting information through resources like https://www.wfmh.org/aa/california/sacramento-county/sacramento. It consists of men and women who share their experiences, strength, and hope in order to recover from alcoholism together.
AA provides a free program comprising regular group meetings held in cities across the United States, including multiple locations in Sacramento, California, aimed at helping members achieve and maintain sobriety.
Pioneer Group
Address: 1820 J St, Sacramento, CA 95811
Meeting Times: Monday – Sunday at 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
These are closed meetings, meaning only individuals who have a desire to stop drinking can attend. Each meeting lasts approximately 1 hour and features a speaker sharing their personal recovery story to inspire others.
Came to Believe Group
Address: 4400 San Juan Ave, Sacramento, CA 95820
Meeting Times: Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 PM
This group hosts open speaker meetings where any person, including non-alcoholics, may attend. Meetings last 1.5 hours and include participants sharing their experiences as part of collective recovery.
North Hall Group
Address: 3501 2nd Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817
Meeting Times: Various meetings daily (please check local schedules)
North Hall is a fellowship founded by LGBTQIA+ members of AA emphasizing inclusivity. The meetings here welcome all individuals regardless of background, fostering respect and support. Free parking is limited and near the hall.
The 12 Steps of AA
- Admitted powerlessness: Recognizing alcohol has made life unmanageable and admitting the need for help.
- Believed in a higher power: Coming to believe that a power greater than oneself can restore sanity and strength.
- Decided to turn will over: Making a decision to entrust one’s will and life to the care of this higher power as understood individually.
- Made a moral inventory: Conducting a fearless self-examination to identify personal flaws and past wrongs.
- Admitted wrongs: Honestly confessing the nature of these wrongs to oneself, another person, and the higher power.
- Ready for change: Becoming willing to have these defects of character removed from one’s life.
- Asked for removal: Humbly requesting the higher power to eliminate shortcomings.
- List of harms: Making a list of those harmed and willing to make amends to them all.
- Made amends: Directly making amends to those harmed whenever possible, except when doing so would cause further harm.
- Continued self-inventory: Persistently taking personal inventory and admitting mistakes promptly.
- Prayed and meditated: Seeking to improve conscious contact with the higher power through prayer and meditation, praying for knowledge of the power’s will and strength to carry it out.
- Spiritual awakening and service: Having experienced a spiritual awakening, striving to carry this message to other alcoholics and practicing these principles in all affairs.
These steps motivate members throughout Sacramento and California to create positive, lasting change in their lives and communities.
Getting Started with AA in California, Sacramento, Sacramento, USA
Individuals seeking to join AA can search for local meetings best suited to their needs at wfmh.org. This site offers a comprehensive, up-to-date database for both in-person and online/virtual AA meetings available across Sacramento and the wider California area.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
Meetings in Sacramento are categorized as either open or closed:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open | Open to anyone interested, including friends, family, or those who do not suffer from alcoholism. These meetings encourage support and understanding. |
| Closed | Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking, ensuring privacy and maintaining members’ anonymity. |
- For your first meeting, arrive 10-15 minutes early to introduce yourself as a new member in the Sacramento area.
- You may share your experiences if you feel comfortable; otherwise, listening is encouraged to understand the fellowship.
- New attendees often receive welcome keychain tags symbolizing sobriety milestones.
| Tag Milestone | Description |
|---|---|
| 30 days | Marking the first month of continuous sobriety and commitment to recovery. |
| 60 days | Representing steady progress and strengthening resolve. |
| 90 days | Celebrating three months of sustained sobriety and growth. |
| 6 months | Half a year of recovery, reflecting deeper understanding and stability. |
| 9 months | Continuing persistence and reinforcement of sobriety lifestyle. |
| 1 year | One full year of sobriety, a major milestone reflecting resilience and commitment. |