What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, offering fellowship and recovery programs across cities throughout the United States. It is a free program that provides regular group meetings designed to encourage sobriety and mutual support in communities such as Florida, Broward County, and Fort Lauderdale.
1231 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (Lambda South Club)
Meeting Times: Various daily meetings including mornings and evenings.
This location offers several types of meetings including open discussion groups and specialized meetings including LGBTQ+ friendly groups. Meetings here provide a safe, accessible environment with wheelchair access and are often held in an informal setting designed to encourage sharing and mutual support.
2040 Dixie Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305 (Equality Park Center)
Meeting Times: Monday to Saturday at 5:45 PM.
Equality Park Center hosts Pride 545 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings which are inclusive and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. These meetings focus on building community and maintaining sobriety through structured sharing and peer support, with a welcoming atmosphere for newcomers and regular participants alike.
205 Southwest 23rd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Meeting Times: Varied times throughout the week.
This location offers a mix of wheelchair accessible closed and open meetings, including step study groups, speaker meetings, and newcomer-focused discussions. Meetings at this venue emphasize education about the AA program and encourage participants to engage actively in their recovery journey.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable. This step recognizes the loss of control due to alcoholism and is the foundation for recovery.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Members develop faith in a higher power, however they personally define it, as a source of strength.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves surrendering control to the higher power and trusting it for support in recovery.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members assess their past behavior and character flaws honestly to promote self-awareness.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing faults and mistakes fosters accountability and reduces guilt.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Readiness to change one’s behavior and outlook is critical for progress.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step involves prayer or meditation seeking help to overcome personal faults.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Preparing to reconcile with those affected by past behavior is essential for healing.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking action to repair relationships helps restore trust and self-respect.
- Continued to take a personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-examination helps maintain sobriety and personal growth.
- 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. This spiritual practice sustains recovery and keeps members grounded.
- 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. Members share their experience and support others to achieve sobriety, promoting ongoing recovery in the community.
Getting Started with AA in Florida, Broward, Fort Lauderdale, USA
The best way to find local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Fort Lauderdale, Broward, and throughout Florida is to use the meeting search available at wfmh.org. This resource provides comprehensive information about both in-person and online/virtual meetings, helping newcomers and continuing members locate convenient meetings that fit their schedule and preferences.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
In the Fort Lauderdale area and the broader Broward County, AA meetings are primarily divided into two types: open and closed meetings.
| Open Meetings | Closed Meetings |
|---|---|
| Open to anyone interested in learning about or supporting the AA program, including friends and family. | Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop drinking, ensuring a focused recovery environment. |
| Encourage newcomers and visitors to observe and participate freely in discussions and sharing. | Offer a more confidential space where anonymity and personal experience take precedence. |
Arriving early at your first AA meeting allows time to introduce yourself as a new member and get comfortable with the setting. If you feel comfortable, you may share your personal experience with alcohol addiction during the session. At your first meeting, it is customary to receive a welcome keychain tag that marks your sobriety milestones.
- 30 days: Recognition for the first full month of sobriety, encouraging continued commitment.
- 60 days: Celebrates two months of sustained sobriety and increased strength.
- 90 days: Marks a quarter-year of ongoing recovery efforts and participation.
- 6 months: A major milestone signifying half a year of sobriety, reinforcing determination.
- 9 months: Highlights consistent effort and growing stability in recovery.
- 1 year: Recognizes a full year of sobriety, symbolizing a critical achievement in long-term recovery.