What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, offering a fellowship based on shared experience, strength, and hope to help members achieve and maintain sobriety. This program is free of charge and available in cities across the United States, including numerous locations throughout Texas and specifically El Paso, El Paso, as detailed at https://www.wfmh.org/aa/texas/el-paso-county/el-paso.
AA meetings are held regularly in El Paso to provide a safe, supportive environment where members can openly discuss their challenges and progress. Meetings are oriented around the 12-step recovery program and emphasize confidentiality and mutual support.
St Stephens Catholic Church
1700 George Dieter Dr, El Paso, TX
Meeting Time: Daily at 12:00 PM
Meeting Details: This meeting, known as “Burning Desire,” is an open meeting conducted in English. Attendees share personal stories and provide peer support in a welcoming group atmosphere. The format includes sharing rounds, discussions, and periodic guest speakers.
Alano Club
1302 Gail Borden Pl, El Paso, TX
Meeting Time: Daily at 12:00 PM
Meeting Details: The “K.I.S.S.” meeting at the Alano Club is an open meeting in English. It focuses on mutual encouragement and exploration of the 12 steps, incorporating newcomers and experienced members alike, fostering a community of accountability and support.
Northeast Fellowship
4922 Hondo Pass Dr, El Paso, TX
Meeting Time: Daily at 12:00 PM
Meeting Details: The “Brown Bag” meeting is an open English-speaking group where members bring their own lunch (“brown bag”) and engage in informal conversation about recovery challenges and successes, emphasizing fellowship and accessibility.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. Recognizing addiction is the first step to recovery, acknowledging the lack of control over alcohol use.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step encourages openness to spiritual or external help beyond personal willpower.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. It fosters surrender to a higher power and willingness to trust the recovery process.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members reflect deeply on their past behaviors, motivations, and character defects.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Encourages openness and honesty through verbalizing faults to reduce shame and isolation.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This step requires readiness and willingness to change.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Members pray or meditate for strength to overcome personal faults.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Identifying relationships damaged by addiction prepares for reconciliation.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking responsible action to repair harm builds integrity and self-respect.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Promotes ongoing self-awareness and accountability.
- 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. Encourages continual spiritual growth and reliance on guidance.
- 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. The final step emphasizes service to others and maintaining personal growth.
Getting Started with AA in Texas, El Paso, El Paso, USA
The best way for anyone seeking support to find local AA meetings in El Paso is to use the meeting search on wfmh.org. This resource provides comprehensive, up-to-date listings for both in-person and online/virtual meetings, accommodating different needs and preferences.
Most meeting locations throughout El Paso offer a mixture of formats that include face-to-face gatherings as well as virtual sessions, providing flexible access to the AA community.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
When attending your first AA meeting in El Paso, it is helpful to understand the difference between open and closed meetings:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | These meetings are open to anyone interested in the AA program, including family, friends, and observers. They encourage newcomers to explore AA openly and freely. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking. These meetings aim to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of alcoholics only. |
It is recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member. If comfortable, participants may share their personal experiences during the meeting.
New members often receive welcome keychain tags that symbolize sobriety milestones:
- 30 days: Marking the first month of continuous sobriety, symbolizing early commitment and effort.
- 60 days: Recognizing two months of sobriety, affirming increased stability and determination.
- 90 days: Celebrating three months free from alcohol, a critical milestone on the recovery journey.
- 6 months: Half a year of sobriety, reflecting deepening recovery and personal growth.
- 9 months: Marking nearly a year of commitment and progress in recovery.
- 1 year: A significant landmark representing sustained sobriety and ongoing personal transformation.