What is AA?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. It operates as a free program offering regular group meetings across cities in Missouri and throughout the United States, providing helpful information for attending alcoholics anonymous meetings to support recovery and community engagement.

These meetings provide a community where members share their experiences, strength, and hope to stay sober and support one another in recovery.

1606 W 40th St, Kansas City, MO 64111

Meeting Time: Noon daily

This location hosts several types of AA meetings, including 12 Steps & 12 Traditions study groups and closed meetings. Participants engage in structured discussions focusing on applying AA principles and supporting sobriety in a confidential environment.

404 S 8th St, Saint Joseph, MO 64501

Meeting Time: 12:00 PM daily

The Accent on Sobriety group here offers Big Book study sessions and open discussions. Attendees delve into the AA Big Book, sharing personal insights while welcoming newcomers and experienced members alike.

3801 Wyandotte St, Kansas City, MO 64111

Meeting Time: 12:00 PM daily

The Live and Let Live group provides an LGBTQ+ friendly space, featuring open meetings with wheelchair access. This inclusive meeting encourages participants to share their stories in a supportive atmosphere promoting acceptance and sobriety.

The 12 Steps of AA

  1. Admit Powerlessness: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This acknowledgment is the first step to recovery, confronting the reality of addiction.
  2. Believe in a Higher Power: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step opens the door to spiritual healing beyond individual willpower.
  3. Decision to Turn Over Control: Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. It encourages surrendering control to find freedom from addiction.
  4. Moral Inventory: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members examine behaviors and patterns contributing to their struggles.
  5. Admit Wrongs: Admitted to God, ourselves, and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing faults helps to reduce shame and promote honesty.
  6. Ready for Change: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This readiness invites transformation of harmful behaviors.
  7. Ask for Removal of Shortcomings: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. It emphasizes humility and acceptance of help.
  8. Make List of Amends: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. This recognizes the impact of addiction on others.
  9. Make Amends: Made direct amends wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Repairing relationships fosters healing and trust.
  10. Continued Personal Inventory: Continued to take personal inventory and when wrong promptly admitted it. Encourages ongoing honesty and responsibility.
  11. Seek Spiritual Connection: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Enhances spiritual growth and strength.
  12. Help Others: Having had a spiritual awakening, we carried this message to alcoholics and practiced these principles in all our affairs. Giving back supports both self and community recovery.

This structured program motivates members toward positive change and sustained sobriety across Missouri, USA.

Getting Started with AA in Missouri, USA

For those seeking help, the best way to find local AA meetings in Missouri is by using the official website wfmh.org. This resource allows easy searching for meetings in any area, providing comprehensive details.

Most locations offer both in-person and online/virtual meetings, ensuring accessibility amid varying circumstances and preferences.

Attending Your First Local AA Meeting

Meeting Type Description
Open Meetings Any person interested in AA may attend, including non-alcoholics. These meetings often include speakers sharing their experience and newcomers learning about AA.
Closed Meetings Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking. This fosters a focused environment among those actively seeking sobriety support.

When attending your first meeting, it is helpful to arrive a few minutes early and introduce yourself as a new member. Sharing your story is encouraged but completely optional and only when you feel comfortable.

New attendees often receive welcome keychain tags as a symbol of their commitment to sobriety. These tags mark sobriety milestones and encourage continued progress.

  • 30 days: Celebrates one month of sobriety, encouraging members through initial recovery challenges.
  • 60 days: Recognizes two months sober, reinforcing the member’s commitment and persistence.
  • 1 year: Marks a significant milestone, symbolizing sustained sobriety and personal growth.
  • Additional tags are available for longer-term milestones, supporting ongoing motivation.