Frequently asked questions about Alcoholics Anonymous
You may have questions about how to get started in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in the Lansing area. This section provides a list of frequently asked questions and answers. If you have additional inquiries not listed here do not hesitate to email us at aalansing@att.net or call 517-377-1444.
Meeting FAQ
Various questions about locating and/or attending meetings. You can search for a meeting in your area here.
Q: I noticed that many meetings are in churches. Do I need to belong to that church or believe in God to attend an AA meeting?
A: AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. Meetings are held in churches but the church serves only as a location. The church is not associated with AA (or AA with the church) - the AA group pays rent to use the space. Meetings occur in many different places: churches, community centers, Alano Clubs, and hospitals to name a few. You do NOT need to be a member of a church or religion to participate and be welcomed by the AA community.
Q: If I attend a meeting am I required to speak?
A: No. Sharing helps you and allows others to get to know a bit about you - but it is not required. Many people attending their first AA meeting give their first name and if they desire not to speak, say "pass".
Q: What happens at a meeting?
A: There are many different types of meetings. Some have a specific focus - like reading Alcoholics Anonymous (also referred to as the "Big Book") - our basic textbook on how to recover. Some meetings discuss one of the twelve steps and/or traditions. There are also speaker meetings where a sober member of AA recounts his or her personal experience: what it was like, what happened, and where they are at now. Other meeting are created for specified segments of the recovery community: young people in AA, men's meetings, women's meetings, and gay and lesbian meetings are a few examples.
Q: Do I need to identify myself as an alcoholic to be welcomed in an AA meeting?
A: You will never be forced to identify yourself as an alcoholic at an AA meeting. This is a personal decision for you to make if and when it feels applicable.
Q: Are there any fees for attending AA meetings?
A: There are no dues or fees for attending an AA meeting but AA does support itself solely on the contributions of its members. During the meeting, a basket is passed and you will have the opportunity to contribute if you wish. An average contribution ranges between 1 and 5 dollars.
Q: What if I see someone I know at an AA meeting?
A: Personal anonymity is a founding principle of our program. When attending an AA meeting, sober alcoholics practice the saying - "whoever you see here, whatever you say here, let it stay here". Outside of meetings we don't speak about who we saw or what we heard. We are not anonymous to each other, but it is important to respect every alcoholic's right to remain anonymous.
Q: How do I find a meeting?
A: There are over 400 meetings a week in the Lansing area (Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties). An online meeting search can be found here. If you have any problems, please call the Lansing Central Office at 517-377-1444 for help. The Lansing Central Office also publishes a printed meeting directory for the Lansing/tri-county area that can be purchased for $1.
Q: Are there different types of meetings?
A: Yes. Here is listing of a few different types of meetings that are found in the Lansing area:
(B) Beginners Meetings - Topics of discussion are suited to new arrivals in AA and typically address the basics of the AA program.
(C) Closed - A closed meeting is for AA members and those persons that have a desire not to drink.
(O) Open Meeting - Open meetings are available to anyone with an interest in AA including students, professionals, friends and family.
(OS) Open Speaker - A meeting in which an AA member shares his/her experience with alcoholism and recovery through the AA program.
There are many different types of AA meetings - the above list highlights only a few examples. Click here for a full listing of types of meetings in the Lansing area.
Q: I am not an alcoholic but have been sentenced by the Courts to attend AA meetings. What meetings should I attend?
A: If you have a desire not to drink, you may attend any closed meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. Those who do not have a desire to stop drinking should attend an open meeting of AA. Court slips may be signed at closed or open meetings depending upon the group's decision about signing slips. Groups are not required to sign court slips but most do, in cooperation with your needs.
Q: What is the difference between open and closed meetings?
A: Closed meetings are for persons who have a desire not to drink. Therefore, the only requirement to attend a closed meeting of AA is a desire not to drink. Open meetings are for persons who do not have a desire to stop drinking and anyone else with an interest in AA (students, professionals, friends and family of an alcoholic, etc).
Q: Are there any requirements to attend closed meetings?
A: The only requirement to attend a closed meeting is a desire not to drink.
Community Events FAQ
Questions regarding community events sponsored and coordinated by the Lansing Central office. You can find a listing of upcoming events here.
Q: What are the Lansing Central AA events, when are they and how do I find out more information?
A: Annual events include: Celebration of Sobriety in May, Lansing Central AA picnic in August and Mackinac Island Weekend in October. These events occur every year although the specific dates may change based on schedule and location availability. Contact the Lansing Central Office for more information at 517-377-1444 or email aalansing@att.net
Q: Who can come to Lansing Central AA events?
A: All AA and Al Anon members, friends and family are welcome at Lansing Central AA events.
Q: How can I help with organizing and putting on Lansing Central AA events?
A: Contact the Central office to get involved in the Activities Committee. It’s a lot of fun!
Q: What is the Lansing Central AA Activities Committee?
Q: What is the Lansing Central AA Activities Committee?
A: The Activities Committee is a group that helps to organize fellowship events for the AA community. There is a chairperson and five to ten people on the committee that typically meet once a month. The chairperson changes annually and is selected by the Lansing Central AA general board.
Q: What should I bring to an Lansing Central AA event?
A: Many Lansing Central AA events involve food - we love to eat! Therefore they are often potluck. If you can bring a dish to pass that is awesome but If you don’t, that’s okay too.
Q: When and what is the “Annual Mackinac Island Weekend”?
A: The Mackinac Island Weekend is 3 days of fellowship, recovery and fun that occurs either the second or third weekend in October on Mackinac Island. Approximately 200 people attend the event that is held at a hotel on the island. There are Friday night AA and Al Anon speakers and a Saturday night “main” speaker. There are also AA and Al Anon panels on Saturday morning and afternoon. Registration usually begins in late spring or early summer - check the website or call the Lansing Central office for more information.
Q: Who can come to the Mackinac Island Weekend?
A: AA and Al Anon members as well as their friends and family are welcome.
Q: How do I sign up for the Mackinac Island Weekend?
A: Registration begins in late spring. Pick up a registration form at the Lansing Central office or print from the website and return to Lansing Central AA office with the registration fee. When the office receives your registration, we will give you a registration number and the green light to contact the hotel on the island where the event is being held. You then contact the hotel and book your room - the inclusive per person nightly rate is paid to the hotel. If there are questions about registering, contact the Lansing Central AA Office at 517-377-1444.
New to AA FAQ
This information and more is covered in detail in the new to AA section of the site.
Q: I am not an alcoholic but have been sentenced by the Courts to attend AA meetings. What meetings should I attend?
A: If you have a desire not to drink, you may attend any closed meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. Those who do not have a desire to stop drinking should attend an open meeting of AA. Court slips may be signed at closed or open meetings depending upon the group's decision about signing slips. Groups are not required to sign court slips but most do, in cooperation with your needs.
Q: Are there any requirements for attending an AA meeting?
A: If you have a desire not to drink, you may attend AA meetings.
Q: How do I prove my attendance at AA meetings if this is part of my sentence?
A: Persons court-ordered to attend AA often track their attendance by submitting a sheet that is signed by the chairperson during the meeting. The probation department typically provides these sheets. When the donation basket is passed during the meeting, place your sheet in the basket and it will be signed and returned at the end of the meeting.
Q: I am already a member of a specific religion or practice a spirituality path. Will I be asked to change that?
A: No. AA is not a religious program. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. The principles of AA are guides to progress; we claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.
Q: I'm an atheist or agnostic. Can this program work for me?
A: Yes, this program can work for you. While there is direct mention of a “god” in meetings and literature, please keep in mind that this is a “god or higher power of your understanding”. For some, that understanding favors an atheist or agnostic form of expression.
Q: If AA is not a religious program, why are meetings held at churches?
A: A church may serve as an available location for an AA meeting to take place. An AA group that meets in a church has no direct affiliation with the church beyond a formal agreement that allows the meeting to take place. Most AA groups pay rent to use the space in which a meeting is held - this includes churches.
Q: Can I be kicked out of AA?
A: No. Disruptive or abusive persons may be asked to leave a meeting, but you cannot be kicked out or expelled from the AA program.
Q: Are there any fees for attending meetings?
A: There are no dues or fees for AA membership. We are self supporting through our own contributions. This means that AA supports itself solely on the contributions of its members. During a meeting, a basket is passed and people attending the meeting have the choice to donate if they wish. A typical donation is one to five dollars. Donations are used to pay the meeting rent, support the local AA service center and also support the AA service structure. Meetings generally keep a prudent reserve and donate the rest to carry the message of AA.
Q: When is the next meeting?
A: Click here to find a meeting. With over 400 meetings a week in the Lansing area there's a good chance one is happening right now, close to you.
Q: What is an Alano Club?
A: An Alano Club is a privately-owned building that is dedicated to hosting AA and other types of recovery meetings. There are 3 Alano clubs in the Lansing area:
- The East Club (Click here to access directions)
The West Club (Click here to access directions)
The South Club (Click here to access directions)
Q: Can I bring someone with me to a meeting?
A: Of course - it is okay to bring a friend or family member to a meeting for moral support. We would ask that you and your guest select an open meeting of AA. An open meeting (by its very definition) is open to friends, family, and people who have a general interest in the AA program of recovery. Please see the online directory to find an open AA meeting in your area.
Q: How do I start the steps?
A: If you feel ready to start your step work, it is suggested that you work the steps under the direction of a sponsor.
Q: What is a sponsor?
A: A sponsor is a sober member of AA who has already worked the 12 steps of recovery and is now available to help others in the step work process. Selecting a sponsor is a unique and individualized experience but a good starting point would be to attend meetings and listen for a member of AA that has a message of recovery and a personality style that you can identify and feel comfortable with. A sponsor will most likely lead you through the step work process that is outlined in the book Alcoholics Anonymous (also referred to as "the Big Book") - the basic text of the AA program.
Q: Do I need to identify myself as an alcoholic to be welcomed in an AA meeting?
A: You will never be forced to identify yourself as an alcoholic at an AA meeting. This is a personal decision for you to make if and when it feels applicable.
The Lansing Central AA Office
The Lansing Central Office (1915 E Michigan Ave # D, Lansing, MI 48912) provides services to the Lansing-area AA community in partnership with area AA meeting groups. These services include:
- Maintain a hot-line for those seeking information about alcoholism and the Alcoholics Anonymous Program;
- Twelve Step Calls;
- Carry the A.A. message into treatment facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and correctional facilities;
- Organize and host fun events;
- Publish tri-county AA meeting directory;
- Sell and distribute AA-approved literature;
- Work with area professionals to create an awareness of AA among those likely to encounter active alcoholics in their work;
- Inform the public about the AA program through informational talks to schools, businesses and civic groups; and
- Publish the monthly newsletter “Reaching Out”