Open and Closed Meetings: What's the Difference?
Open and closed meetings are two kinds of recovery gatherings. An open meeting is for anyone: people with a drinking problem, plus family, friends, students and anyone curious. A closed meeting is only for people who want help with their own drinking.
Why the difference exists
Closed meetings give members a safer place to be fully honest. People talk about things they wouldn’t say in front of visitors: marriages, secrets, cravings, shame. Keeping the room to fellow drinkers protects that honesty.
Open meetings serve a different purpose. They let a worried spouse hear what recovery sounds like. They let a pastor learn how to help someone in his church. They let a nervous person bring a friend for support the first time.
Both kinds follow the same basic habits: first names only, what’s said in the room stays in the room, and no one is pressured to speak. Speaker meetings, where one person tells their story, are often open. Discussion and step study meetings are often closed.
For a Christian
Some Christians hesitate to bring a spouse or pastor into recovery. An open meeting is a good place to start. Confession and support among believers are biblical, and an honest room can be a picture of that.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
If you’re looking for a group that shares your faith, read about Christian AA meetings.
Pick one
Which kind of meeting would help you most right now? Look up a meeting list for your area. Choose one open meeting to bring someone you trust, or one closed meeting to go to on your own this week.
Common questions
Can I go to a closed meeting if I'm not sure I'm an alcoholic?
Usually yes. Most closed meetings welcome anyone who wants help with their drinking, whether or not they've settled the label.
Can my wife or husband come with me?
To an open meeting, yes. Closed meetings are just for people with a drinking problem. Your spouse might also find a family support group helpful.
How do I know if a meeting is open or closed?
Meeting lists usually mark it, often with an O or C. If you're unsure, arrive early and ask the person at the door.
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