What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group designed for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, offering mutual aid and guidance toward sobriety. The program is available across the United States, including multiple cities in Florida such as Broward and Fort Lauderdale, where those looking to find aa meetings in fort lauderdale can participate for free in regular group sessions.
AA meetings provide a confidential environment where people with a desire to stop drinking come together to share their experiences, offer support, and work through recovery steps collectively. The program emphasizes community and personal accountability, often meeting in accessible locations such as churches, community centers, and virtually.
Locations and Meetings in Fort Lauderdale
11th Step Group Fort Lauderdale
Address: 205 Southwest 23rd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301
Meeting Times and Details: This group offers open discussion meetings where participants share experiences in a wheelchair-accessible venue. The group welcomes all individuals interested in recovery and focuses on peer support and open dialogue to encourage personal growth.
Lambda South – 12 Step Recovery
Address: 1231-A East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301 (Entry through Alley)
Meeting Times and Details: Lambda South hosts various meetings including “Let’s Do Lunch Bunch” and “Pozitively Sober,” both offering open discussions and hybrid formats (in-person and online). Meetings focus on meditation, step studies, and supportive community engagement, welcoming members from diverse backgrounds including LGBTQ+ participants.
Sunrise Serenity Online Meeting
Address: Online Meetings, 3317 NW 10th Terrace, 404, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33309
Meeting Times and Details: This online setting provides early morning meetings at 7:00 AM daily, ideal for those seeking virtual attendance. Participants engage in step work and supportive discussions designed to sustain motivation throughout the day in an anonymous setting.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step is about acknowledging loss of control and accepting the need for change to begin the recovery journey.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Members recognize the importance of spiritual or external support in overcoming addiction.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This involves entrusting control to a higher power for guidance and strength.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members conduct honest self-reflection to identify personal faults and patterns contributing to addiction.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This step encourages openness and confession to foster accountability and healing.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members prepare mentally and spiritually to change their behaviors and attitudes.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step includes seeking help through prayer or meditation for personal transformation.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Members take responsibility for the harm caused by their addiction to restore broken relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This involves practical efforts to repair the damage done in a safe and thoughtful manner.
- Continued to take a personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Members maintain ongoing self-awareness and accountability to prevent relapse.
- 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. This step emphasizes spiritual growth and seeking guidance to live a sober life.
- 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. Members commit to helping others recover and living according to AA principles.
These steps are designed to motivate positive change and personal growth for individuals participating in AA throughout Florida, including Broward and Fort Lauderdale.
Getting Started with AA in Florida, Broward, Fort Lauderdale, USA
Individuals seeking to begin their AA journey in Florida, Broward, or Fort Lauderdale can use the meeting search feature on wfmh.org to find local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in their area. This is the best and most reliable resource for discovering both in-person and online or virtual meetings available throughout these locations.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
AA meetings in Broward and Fort Lauderdale are generally divided into two types: open and closed meetings. It is recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member. Those who feel comfortable may share their personal experiences during the meeting. First-time attendees often receive welcome keychain tags to mark sobriety milestones, which are symbolic tokens acknowledging progress in recovery.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to anyone interested in the AA program, including friends and family. These meetings focus on general discussion and speaker sharing to encourage understanding and support. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking. These meetings emphasize confidentiality and are designed to foster a safe space for personal sharing and recovery work. |
Keychain Tag Milestones
- 30 Days: Celebrates the first month of sobriety, encouraging continued commitment.
- 60 Days: Marks two months of sustained abstinence and growing stability.
- 90 Days: Represents three months of maintaining sobriety through ongoing support.
- 6 Months: Appreciates the half-year milestone, recognizing the strength it takes to maintain recovery.
- 9 Months: Celebrates sustained sobriety as members build long-term recovery habits.
- 1 Year: Honors one full year of continuous sobriety, a key achievement symbolizing hope and resilience.