What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. AA provides a free program consisting of regular group meetings designed to foster sobriety and mutual support. These meetings are held in cities across the United States, including Tennessee, Shelby County, and Memphis, offering accessible help for anyone seeking recovery.
Christ United Methodist Church
Address: 5015 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
Meetings time and details:
- Monday at 12:00 pm (Open Discussion): This session allows anyone interested to attend and share their experiences with alcohol addiction in a supportive atmosphere lasting 60-90 minutes.
- Tuesday at 7:30 pm (Closed Discussion): Exclusive to alcoholics, this meeting offers a confidential environment where members focus on sharing recovery experiences and challenges.
- Thursday at 7:00 pm (Open Speaker Meeting): Members and invited guests share personal stories of sobriety and hope to inspire attendees.
- Saturday at 10:00 am (Open Discussion): A relaxed meeting for open sharing of progress and struggles among participants.
Shady Grove Presbyterian Church
Address: 5530 Walnut Grove Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Meetings time and details:
- Sunday at 7:00 pm (Closed Young People’s Meeting): Tailored for young adults, this meeting supports youth in recovery focusing on their unique challenges.
- Wednesday at 12:00 pm (Open Discussion): Open to all, encouraging group participation and sharing in midday sessions.
- Friday at 8:00 pm (Open Speaker Meeting): Features speakers sharing experiences to motivate members towards sustained sobriety.
Unity of Memphis Spiritual Center
Address: 2564 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
Meetings time and details:
- Monday at 12:00 pm (Open Literature Discussion): Focus on AA literature study to understand recovery principles better, open to all attendees.
- Tuesday at 6:00 pm (Closed Step Study Meeting): Members engage in studying and discussing the 12 Steps in a closed, focused environment.
- Thursday at 6:00 pm (Open Discussion): Open meeting encouraging attendees to share experiences and insights.
- Saturday at 7:30 am (Men’s Closed Discussion): A dedicated space for men to discuss recovery challenges in a private setting.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step acknowledges the severity of addiction and the need for help.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Encourages hope through faith or higher power, however one defines it.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves surrendering control and trusting in recovery.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members examine their past behaviors and character flaws to understand their impact.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This promotes honesty and accountability in recovery.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Willingness to change internal shortcomings is key for continued growth.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step involves direct prayer or meditation seeking transformation.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Acknowledges the importance of repairing relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking action to heal past damages while avoiding further harm.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-reflection ensures accountability and growth.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Continued spiritual development to strengthen recovery.
- 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. Emphasizes service and living the program daily.
These steps motivate members toward positive change across Tennessee, Shelby, and Memphis, inspiring lifelong sobriety and personal growth.
Getting Started with AA in Tennessee, Shelby, Memphis, USA
The best way to find local AA meetings in Tennessee, Shelby, and Memphis is to search on wfmh.org. This site offers comprehensive listings of both in-person and online/virtual meetings in most locations, making it convenient for people at various stages of recovery.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
In Tennessee, Shelby, Memphis, AA meetings are typically categorized as either open or closed meetings:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | These meetings welcome anyone interested in Alcoholics Anonymous, including non-alcoholics. They often involve discussions or guest speakers and focus on sharing experiences and information. |
| Closed Meetings | Closed meetings are limited to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking. These sessions provide a confidential space for members to share openly about their recovery journey without outsiders attending. |
Please aim to arrive early at your first meeting to introduce yourself as a new local member. Sharing your experiences is encouraged but entirely voluntary; you may wait until you feel comfortable.
New attendees often receive welcome keychain tags at their first meeting, which mark important sobriety milestones. These tags serve as motivational reminders of progress through sobriety.
Keychain Tag Milestones
- 30 Days: Celebrates one month of continuous sobriety, a critical initial goal in recovery.
- 60 Days: Marks two months sober, reinforcing commitment and building confidence.
- 1 Year: Signifies a full year of sobriety, often considered a major achievement in AA culture.
- Additional Milestones: Tags may also be given at 18 months, 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, and longer periods as members continue sustained sobriety.
