Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings in Tennessee, Shelby, Memphis, USA
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What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide support group created to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. It offers a free, peer-led program featuring regular group meetings designed to support members in achieving and maintaining sobriety. AA meetings are widely available across cities in the United States, including Tennessee, Shelby County, and specifically Memphis, where individuals can find aa meetings memphis for local support and recovery.
In Memphis, Tennessee, AA meetings are held at multiple locations with various formats to accommodate the diverse needs of participants. These meetings are open to anyone looking for assistance with alcohol recovery and provide a confidential, supportive environment.
Christ United Methodist Church
Address: 4730 Walnut Grove Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
- Monday at 12 pm (Open Discussion): A welcoming open meeting where members share their experiences and challenges with alcohol addiction in a free-format discussion lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
- Tuesday at 7:30 pm (Closed Discussion): A meeting specifically for those who identify as alcoholics, providing a safe, confidential space to focus on recovery in a group discussion format.
- Thursday at 7 pm (Open Speaker Meeting): Members listen to invited speakers share their personal stories of addiction and recovery, encouraging inspiration and motivation.
- Saturday at 10 am (Open Discussion): Weekend meeting with a casual atmosphere that welcomes anyone interested in learning more about sobriety and recovery.
Shady Grove Presbyterian Church
Address: 5530 Walnut Grove Rd, Memphis, TN 38120
- Sunday at 7 pm (Closed Young People’s Meeting): A focused group for young adults recovering from alcohol addiction, fostering peer connection within a confidential setting.
- Wednesday at 12 pm (Open Discussion): Midweek meeting offering open participation, where both newcomers and experienced members share and support each other.
- Friday at 8 pm (Open Speaker Meeting): A session featuring personal stories from various members to encourage hope and perseverance.
Unity of Memphis Spiritual Center
Address: 220 N Watkins St, Memphis, TN 38104
- Monday at 12 pm (Open Literature Discussion): Participants read and discuss AA literature and texts, aiming to deepen understanding of the program’s principles.
- Tuesday at 6 pm (Closed Step Study Meeting): A study-focused meeting where members work through AA’s Twelve Steps in a confidential group.
- Thursday at 6 pm (Open Discussion): An inclusive meeting where all attendees share their stories and challenges related to alcoholism freely.
- Saturday at 7:30 am (Men’s Closed Discussion): A men-only meeting emphasizing confidentiality, mutual support, and focused recovery efforts.
The 12 Steps of AA
- Admit powerlessness over alcohol: Acknowledging that life has become unmanageable due to alcohol use sets the foundation for change.
- Believe in a higher power: Developing faith that a power greater than oneself can restore sanity and provide strength in recovery.
- Decide to turn will and lives over: Committing to entrust one’s will and life to the care of this higher power.
- Make a moral inventory: Conducting a thorough self-examination to identify personal flaws and strengths.
- Admit wrongs to self, others, and higher power: Confession helps to build honesty and humility, essential for healing.
- Prepare for change: Getting ready to have the higher power remove defects of character.
- Humbly ask for removal of shortcomings: Seeking help in overcoming negative behaviors and traits.
- Make a list of harmed persons and become willing to make amends: Acknowledging how addiction affected others and preparing for restitution.
- Make amends where possible: Directly correcting past harms except where it would cause further damage.
- Continue personal inventory and admit mistakes: Maintaining self-awareness and promptly correcting new errors builds lasting sobriety.
- Seek spiritual awakening through meditation and prayer: Enhancing connection with the higher power to foster growth and serenity.
- Carry the message to others: Helping others struggling with addiction reinforces one’s own recovery and supports the AA community.
These steps aim to motivate members throughout Tennessee, Shelby, and Memphis to foster positive personal change and communal support.
Getting Started with AA in Tennessee, Shelby, Memphis, USA
Individuals seeking AA meetings should use wfmh.org as the best resource to locate local AA meetings in their area. This centralized website offers comprehensive listings for both in-person and online/virtual meetings throughout Memphis and the surrounding Shelby County.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | These meetings welcome anyone interested, including new members, friends, family, and members of the public. They usually involve open discussion about alcohol and recovery experiences. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to individuals who identify as having a drinking problem. Closed meetings provide a confidential space for members to discuss personal challenges without outside presence. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new local member; this helps ease the transition and allows meeting leaders to provide guidance.
- Share your experiences only if comfortable; participation is encouraged but not mandatory, respecting every member’s readiness.
- Receive welcome keychain tags, a tradition honoring sobriety milestones achieved by members.
Keychain Tag Milestones
- 30 days: Recognizes the initial commitment to sobriety and the first month of recovery.
- 60 days: Celebrates continued abstinence and growing strength in recovery efforts.
- 1 year: Marks a significant achievement reflecting sustained sobriety and personal growth.
- Additional milestones: Tags are often given at quarterly intervals (90 days, 6 months) and yearly anniversaries to encourage ongoing commitment and celebrate progress.