Find 12 Step and Recovery Meetings

Search local and online AA meetings, NA meetings, CA meetings, Al-Anon meetings, MA, HA, CoDA, OA, CMA, SA, SLAA, Refuge Recovery, SMART Recovery,  and other 12-step and non 12-step addiction recovery meetings below.

12-Step and Non-12-Step Meetings: Lifelines to Lasting Recovery

Every day, tens of thousands of 12-step and non-12-step recovery meetings take place across the globe, offering support, guidance, and community to individuals seeking recovery from addiction, compulsive behaviors, or emotional struggles. From traditional 12-Step Meetings like AA Meetings, NA Meetings, CA Meetings, Al-Anon Meetings, and more, plus non-12-step meetings like Refuge Recovery, SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery and others, if you’re just beginning your journey or looking to re-engage with the process, Recovery HQ connects you to in-person and virtual meetings tailored to your needs and location.

If you’re in a treatment center, meetings may be held onsite or transportation may be provided to off-site gatherings. Many meetings also offer child-friendly accommodations, making it easier for parents to participate.

Meetings are often held in accessible locations like churches, community centers, clubhouses, and parks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many transitioned to online platforms like Zoom and continue to offer virtual or hybrid formats to reach a broader audience. While 12-step groups are not religious organizations, they are spiritual in nature, designed to help individuals experience personal transformation through working the 12 Steps.

What Are 12-Step Meetings?

12-step meetings are grounded in the principle of one person in recovery helping another. Based on the model developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, each fellowship is tailored to a specific issue—such as drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, food, or co-dependency—but follows a similar format focused on spiritual growth, accountability, and mutual support.

The core goals include:

• Admitting powerlessness over the addiction or behavior
• Seeking help from a higher power and supportive community
• Examining personal behaviors through inventory and reflection
• Making amends for past harms
• Continuing personal growth and helping others in recovery

These principles are universal, which is why 12-step groups have helped millions across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Types of 12-Step Meetings

There are two main types of 12-step meetings:

• Open Meetings: Open to anyone—individuals seeking recovery, loved ones, students, treatment professionals, and curious observers. These are a great starting point for those new to recovery or looking to understand the program.
• Closed Meetings: Reserved for individuals who identify with the issue addressed by the fellowship (e.g., alcoholism, drug addiction, compulsive behaviors) and who have a desire to stop.

Common Meeting Formats

• Discussion Meetings: Participants share thoughts around a chosen recovery topic.
• Beginner Meetings: Designed to support newcomers, often focused on Steps 1–3 or the basics of the program.
• Speaker Meetings: A member with recovery experience shares their story, often providing hope and inspiration.
• Book, Step, or Literature Meetings: Groups read and explore recovery texts such as the Big Book, 12 & 12, or program-specific literature.
• Service Meetings: Focused on the group’s service efforts and how members can give back.
• Group Inventory Meetings: Members assess how well the group is supporting its purpose and participants.
• Business Meetings: Dedicated to the operational needs of the group, including leadership roles and financial transparency.

You're encouraged to attend as many meetings as you'd like until you find a group (or multiple groups) that feel right for you. Once you’ve found a meeting that resonates, consider making it your home group—a meeting you attend regularly and may serve in a volunteer role to build connection and accountability.

What to Expect at a 12-Step Meeting

Meetings are free, anonymous, and open to all who seek help. You don’t need to sign up, make an appointment, or prepare—just show up.

Most meetings follow a familiar structure:

1. Welcome and Opening Statement
2. Moment of Silence and Serenity Prayer
3. Readings (e.g., program preamble, 12 Steps, 12 Traditions)
4. Introductions (first name only; participation is voluntary)
5. Speaker or Group Discussion
6. Group Sharing (optional)
7. Announcements
8. Passing the Basket (voluntary contributions only)
9. Closing Prayer or Reading

Some meetings offer coffee, snacks, or a social component before or after the session. These informal moments are valuable for building connections, asking questions, and finding support.

What Happens After the Meeting?

Recovery doesn’t end when the meeting closes. Many members stay afterward to chat, check in with their sponsor or sponsee, and build community. This fellowship is a key pillar of 12-step programs—it reminds members they’re not alone.

Newcomers are encouraged to ask for phone numbers, pick up literature, or speak with someone they connected with. Ongoing participation, service commitments, and sponsorship are all ways to stay involved and deepen your recovery.

Sponsorship and Accountability

A sponsor is a trusted mentor who has worked the 12 steps and offers personal guidance to others seeking recovery. Sponsors help you navigate the literature, reflect on life’s challenges, and stay accountable to your recovery goals.

Sponsorship is one of the most powerful tools in the 12-step model—creating mutual responsibility, regular check-ins, and 24/7 support in times of need.

Explore Non–12-Step Recovery Meetings: Alternatives for Every Path

While 12-step fellowships like AA and NA have helped millions, some individuals prefer alternative recovery frameworks. At Recovery HQ, we honor all paths to sobriety and healing. Many non–12-step programs offer secular, evidence-based, spiritual, or trauma-informed approaches for those who may not identify with the traditional 12-step model or who are seeking something different.

These alternative programs include SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, LifeRing Secular Recovery, Women for Sobriety (WFS), Moderation Management (MM), and others, and offer both in-person and online meetings, and many are accessible globally.

Choosing What’s Right for You

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to recovery. Whether you choose a 12-step group like AA or NA, or a non–12-step option like SMART Recovery or Refuge Recovery, the most important step is showing up.

You may try different programs before finding what works best for your lifestyle, beliefs, and needs. Many people even attend a combination of meetings to build a diverse support network.

Recovery HQ is here to help you explore your options, connect with trusted resources, and stay on track.

Post-Meeting Fellowship & Support

After a meeting—12-step or non–12-step—many participants stay to socialize, check in with peers, or connect with a sponsor or accountability partner. This sense of community helps reduce isolation and build lasting recovery relationships.

If you’re new, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself or ask questions. Most members are eager to share resources, phone numbers, or tips that helped them early in their recovery.

Court-Ordered Recovery Meetings? We’ve Got You Covered

Whether you're mandated by a court, employer, school, or other institution, you’re welcome in nearly all recovery programs. Most 12-step and non–12-step meetings are open to court-ordered attendees, and many group leaders can provide proof of attendance—either through signature cards or online check-ins.

Some programs like SMART Recovery and Celebrate Recovery also offer official attendance verification. Be sure to bring any required documentation with you.

Need help finding a meeting that offers documentation? Contact the Recovery HQ team and we’ll assist you.

Proof of Attendance for Court or Legal Requirements

Many groups—especially those accustomed to court referrals—offer physical sign-in sheets or digital attendance confirmation. If you require proof, we recommend:

• Bringing a court card or sign-in sheet
• Arriving early to speak with the meeting chairperson or facilitator
• Asking if the group provides attendance verification
• For online meetings, screenshots, digital logs, or email confirmations may be available depending on the group

Safe Spaces for Growth and Recovery

12-step meetings are designed to be safe, respectful, and free from substances. They offer a space for people to connect on a deeply human level—to heal from addiction and destructive behaviors through honesty, humility, and service.

Whether you're recovering from alcohol, drugs, gambling, eating disorders, co-dependency, or other issues, there's a 12-step group built for you.

Begin Your Recovery Journey with Recovery HQ

No matter where you are or what you're struggling with, there’s a 12-step group that can support your recovery. At Recovery HQ, we connect you with local and online meetings for AA, NA, CA, OA, Al-Anon, and dozens of other programs.

Take the first step. We’re here to help.