AA Meetings Near Me in Los Angeles
You are not alone in this journey. With Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in Los Angeles, you will find hope, strength, and community toward recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous, known simply as AA, is a peer-led alcohol recovery community. The premise of AA is based on the understanding that you can achieve recovery through the power of a fellowship rather than on your own - as there is something simply empowering about having those with you who understand and share in your journey, even without having to say much.
AA is based on the 12 Steps - which admit to declaring powerlessness over alcohol use, reaching out, seeking forgiveness and repairing relationships, personal growth, and service through your own story toward recovery, with AA.
AA is present in 180 countries, with 2 million success stories worldwide. There are over 1,000 weekly AA meetings in Los Angeles itself.
Please note that AA is not a substitute or replacement for clinical care for alcohol use. It can complement rehab programs that offer both care and structure alongside the flexibility to stay connected to your daily life and build community.
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What Are the Types of AA Meetings in Los Angeles?
AA meetings do not follow a one-size-fits-all pattern - they come in different types, so there is one that can be right for you. AA meetings are held in-person settings - in rehab centers, churches, office premises, and community centers, among others. Post COVID, they are also being held online in great numbers, too.
Here are the types of AA meetings in Los Angeles:
AA Open and Closed Meetings
Open and closed AA meetings are two major types of AA meetings. Open ones are open for those who want to learn about sobriety and even for the family or other loved ones of those who are struggling with alcoholism. On the other hand, closed AA meetings are only for those who want to actively recover from alcoholism.
AA Beginner Meetings
AA beginner meetings introduce you to the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of AA. They are led by a member who has achieved sobriety with AA and want to educate others regarding the same. It is good for those who want to learn the basis of AA.
AA Speaker Meetings
AA speaker meetings are led by those who want to spread the word regarding how AA has helped them in their recovery. These are inspirational meetings for those who want to overcome alcoholism.
AA Discussion Meetings
AA discussion meetings are led by a chair. Each meeting chooses a topic to discuss, such as The Big Book (foundational text of AA), 12 Steps, and more. AA discussion meetings can be best for you if you want focused conversations regarding recovery and personal growth.
Big Book, Steps, or Tradition Meetings
AA meetings focus on Big Book readings, 12 Steps, and 12 Traditions as a community. It is about navigating the principles of AA.
AA Specialized Meetings
Specialized AA meetings are meetings for women, LBGTQIA+ community, veterans, and others. These are meetings for those who want to focus on how identity can shape their journey toward recovery from alcoholism.
What to Expect From AA Meetings?
AA meetings will have members sitting in chairs in a circle or small rows. The leader begins the meeting by welcoming new and old members, followed by the Serenity Prayer or a moment of silence.
New members are asked to introduce themselves. You can if you want to; if you do not want to, nobody will force you.
Then one member will read a few passages from The Big Book or 12 Steps, and follow the format of the meeting you choose to attend - whether it is beginner, speaker, discussion, or a closed meeting.
Once the meeting ends, members will wait back to socialize for a smile, hug, or a chat. If you are new, members will come to introduce themselves to you, and you can do the same. This is also a good time to find a sponsor - an older member who will work closely with you to navigate the 12 Steps toward recovery.
Which AA Meeting Is Right for You?
AA meetings do not have any rankings to ascertain whether one is right for you over the other. What is right for you will depend on you and your comfort level.
You may attend a meeting for the first time - typically the nearest one to you. You may or may not like it, and that is okay. You do not have to find “the one” right away. You may have to switch back and forth until you find one that fits right in with your needs and goals for recovery.
The right one will be the one where you feel seen and comfortable. It will not force you to do anything you do not want to, it will not judge you, it will provide the safety net you need right away - just the community you need for your recovery.
In the right meeting, you will not hesitate to share your vulnerabilities - and members will respect you for your story and courage, and they will respect your anonymity, too.
What Happens When AA Meetings May Not Be Enough on Their Own?
AA meetings can be a powerful tool for community and healing in your recovery journey. However, for many, meetings alone may not provide enough structure or clinical care to address the challenges they are facing.
You may benefit from additional support if you:
- Struggle with drinking despite regularly attending AA meetings
- Find yourself unable to stop drinking despite wanting to quit
- Experience repeated relapses after periods of sobriety
- Struggle with co-occurring mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression
- Have a history of trauma that affects your recovery
- Experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms when attempting to cut back or stop drinking
- Live in an unsafe, unstable, or high-risk home environment
AA can be crucial to your recovery, but you will also benefit from combining peer support with structured treatment programs that provide clinical care and evidence-based therapies.
These programs may include:
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- Weekly therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring alcohol use and mental health disorders
Wanting a higher intensity of care and structure does not mean AA has failed or is wrong. Many find that combining meetings with clinical oversight helps them build a stronger foundation for long-term recovery.
If you are unsure whether meetings alone are providing enough support, you may find it helpful to learn more about how to choose the right outpatient program.
When It Becomes More Than Manageable Alone
Sometimes, alcohol use can begin to feel harder to control. You might find yourself drinking more than intended or struggling to stop once you start, relying on alcohol to cope with stress or difficult emotions, or trying to cut back but returning to the same patterns.
If this feels familiar, it may benefit you to talk through what this looks like for you and explore your next steps.
What If AA Is Not Right For You?
AA has helped millions of people build and maintain sobriety, but it is not the right fit for everyone. Some prefer a secular path to community and recovery, while others may be looking for different philosophies, meeting structures, or peer communities. If you attend a few meetings and find that AA does not feel like the right fit, that does not mean recovery is out of your reach. Many alternative recovery communities offer fellowship and personal growth through different approaches.
Some such alternatives are:
AA Meetings vs Outpatient Treatment
Many wonder whether they need AA meetings, clinical oversight, or both. The answer depends on the severity of alcohol use, mental health concerns, and the level of care needed.
| AA Meetings | Outpatient Treatment |
| Peer support | Clinical care |
| Volunteer-led | Licensed clinicians |
| No diagnosis or treatment planning | Psychiatric evaluation and personalized treatment planning |
| Flexible attendance, no compulsion | Structured schedule |
| Community building and solidarity | Therapy, medication, coping skills, and relapse prevention |
AA meetings can provide fellowship and personal growth, while outpatient treatment programs focus on the underlying reasons for alcohol use through evidence-based care.
Especially for those experiencing repeated relapses, co-occurring mental health concerns, withdrawal symptoms, or difficulty maintaining sobriety, a higher level of care, such as a PHP or IOP, may provide the whole person care you need and deserve alongside AA participation.
Popular Areas to Find AA Meetings in Los Angeles
AA meetings are available throughout Los Angeles County, making it easy to find your recovery community close to home, school, or work. Many people begin by exploring meetings in neighborhoods as they are convenient and easy to attend regularly.
Common areas where people search for AA meetings include:
- West Los Angeles
- Culver City
- Santa Monica
- Venice
- Mar Vista
- Downtown Los Angeles
Consistency is often more important than location. Finding a meeting that feels comfortable and fits your schedule can make it easier to integrate recovery principles and goals into your everyday life.
Find the Right AA Meeting for You in Los Angeles
Finding your first AA meeting can feel overwhelming, especially when you are unsure where to begin. Many people spend time exploring different meetings, peer communities, and recovery options before finding an approach that feels right for them.
For some, recovery may involve AA meetings alone. For others, additional programs such as weekly therapy, an intensive outpatient program (IOP), a partial hospitalization program (PHP), or dual diagnosis treatment may be helpful alongside peer communities.
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Verify Your InsuranceFrequently Asked Questions About AA Meetings Near You in Los Angeles
You do not need to stop drinking before attending the first AA meeting. Many members attend AA when they are still struggling with alcohol use and have not achieved sobriety yet.
AA meetings are free to attend; however, voluntary contributions are accepted as a basket or container is passed around during a meeting to collect money.
Many AA members explore multiple meetings to find a meeting where they feel safe, seen, and comfortable.
Attendance can vary as per your requirements, but many newcomers benefit from attending meetings regularly to develop consistency and recovery.
AA meetings can be attended alongside therapy, outpatient programs, and other evidence-based treatment services, as it is not a substitute or replacement for clinical care.
AA meetings have an estimated 2 million success stories worldwide, and have helped many achieve this lasting sobriety through community, shared support, and accountability. Some use AA as their primary path to recovery, while others combine meetings with therapy, outpatient treatment, or other recovery services.