If you’d like to attend an A.A. meeting for the first time, or are curious if A.A. is for you, here’s what to do:

Choose a meeting time and location

• By phone: Call us at 619-265-8762, day or night, and a sober member of A.A. will be happy to recommend a first-time meeting close to where you live. You can also see all of our meetings listed on this website.

Just show up!

You do not need to sign up ahead of time to attend an A.A. Meeting – just show up or log on. The log on information for Online meetings can be found by clicking on the meeting name in the meeting schedule found on this website. Meetings start promptly at the time specified and generally last one hour. We suggest for your first meeting to arrive a little bit early. You may see people gathered outside. If you are unsure if you have the right place, just ask one of them  if this is where the A.A. meeting is. If it is, then you could tell them this is your first meeting and ask them where to go. They will be happy to help you out. Inside the meeting room, there will be people milling about, setting up coffee and putting out literature. Help yourself to a coffee and find a seat.

What happens during an A.A. meeting:

Meetings often begin with a moment of silence, followed by a few short readings. The secretary (a volunteer) might ask if there are any “newcomers” in the room attending their first meeting or in their first 30 days of sobriety, and if so would they care to identify themselves by their first name only. This is NOT done to single you out or embarrass you. It’s done because as a newcomer you will get the support you need.  If you have questions after you get home, please call any of the people who gave you their phone number. You will not be “intruding”… we WANT to help.

Anonymity at Meetings

Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our traditions. While you are free to repeat and use any of the ideas or suggestions that you hear at a meeting, please do not identify anyone you heard or saw there by name. We will do the same for you.