What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, and resources such as World Forum for Mental Health often guide people toward local meeting options. It offers a free, structured program that helps members achieve and maintain sobriety through mutual support and adherence to a 12-step recovery process.
Across the United States, including Florida, Broward County, and Fort Lauderdale, AA meetings are regularly held to provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment. Meetings are accessible to anyone with a desire to stop drinking, and they take place in various community spaces such as churches, community centers, and specialized AA clubhouses.
Fort Lauderdale Group
Address: 2312 NE 11th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305
Meeting Times and Details: This group holds meetings Monday through Friday at 12:00 PM. The meetings are open to anyone interested in learning about or practicing the AA program. Attendees share their experiences and support each other in sobriety through discussion and fellowship.
Promises AA Group
Address: 1975 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Meeting Times and Details: Meetings take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 PM. These meetings are closed, meaning only individuals who have a desire to stop drinking may attend. The group focuses on maintaining anonymity and encourages a safe, confidential space for honest sharing.
Fun in Sobriety Group
Address: 2740 E Oakland Park Blvd 205, Oakland Park, FL 33306
Meeting Times and Details: Meets Saturdays at 10:00 AM. These are open meetings where attendees engage in open discussion, share coping strategies, and provide encouragement to newcomers and longtime members alike. The group creates a positive, inclusive atmosphere through shared stories and fellowship.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step acknowledges the need for help and the inability to control alcohol consumption alone.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. It encourages openness to spiritual help or a higher power as understood personally.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This involves committing to rely on that higher power for guidance.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This step requires deep self-reflection to identify personal flaws and wrongs.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Confession and accountability are key to releasing guilt and shame.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This step prepares members for positive change by embracing transformation.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. It involves actively seeking to overcome weaknesses through spiritual support.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Responsibility for past actions is recognized, fostering readiness for restitution.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Members take tangible steps to repair relationships and heal damages.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. It enforces ongoing self-awareness and honesty.
- 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 nourishes spiritual growth and clarity.
- 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 are encouraged to help others and maintain sobriety through daily application of these principles.
Getting Started with AA in Florida, Broward, Fort Lauderdale, USA
The recommended way to find Alcoholics Anonymous meetings locally is by using the meeting search feature on wfmh.org. This site provides comprehensive, updated listings of both in-person and online/virtual AA meetings across Florida, Broward County, and Fort Lauderdale.
Most locations offer a variety of meeting formats to suit individuals’ preferences, including open and closed meetings, speaker meetings, and discussion groups. Virtual meetings allow broader access for those unable to attend in person.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings fall into two main categories in Florida, Broward, and Fort Lauderdale:
| Open Meetings | Closed Meetings |
|---|---|
| Open to anyone interested in the AA program, including friends and family members. Typically more introductory and welcoming to newcomers. |
Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking. Anonymity and confidentiality are more strictly maintained. |
- It is advised to arrive early to introduce yourself as a new local member, allowing time to connect with the group.
- Sharing personal experiences is encouraged but completely voluntary—comfort levels vary.
- New members receive welcome keychain tags marking sobriety milestones as tangible signs of progress and encouragement.
List of Keychain Tag Milestones
- 30 Days: Symbolizes the critical first month of sustained sobriety.
- 60 Days: Recognizes continued commitment and overcoming early challenges.
- 90 Days: Represents a strong dedication to the program and lifestyle changes.
- 6 Months: Marks a significant half-year milestone of sobriety.
- 9 Months: Highlights ongoing resilience and personal growth.
- 1 Year: Celebrates the achievement of one full year of abstaining from alcohol, a major accomplishment in the recovery journey.