Newcomer Info
If you’re new to Alcoholics Anonymous, this page of information should help answer some questions you probably have. In addition, you can call the 24-hour helpline at 239-275-5111 at any time for more information. In addition, you can call (239) 687-9308 for Spanish at any time.
What Are A.A. Meetings Like?
Meeting Formats
An A.A. meeting may take one of several forms. But at any meeting, you will find alcoholics talking about what drinking did to their lives and personalities, what actions they took to help themselves, and how they are living their lives today.
Meeting formats include Big Book Study, Speaker/Discussion, Step and Tradition, and Meditation.
Anonymity
No membership files or attendance records are kept, although some meetings have completely optional phone lists. You do not have to reveal anything about yourself. No one will bother you if you don’t want to come back.
If you happen to meet people you know at a meeting, they will be there for the same reason you are. They will not disclose your identity to others, and you will retain as much anonymity as you wish—this is one reason we call ourselves Alcoholics Anonymous.
No Dues or Fees
There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership. The group usually takes a voluntary collection during the meeting to cover the meeting expenses, and members contribute as they are able to.
Meeting Schedules
A.A. meeting schedules for Lee, Hendry, and Glades are available in a number of formats. Our online schedule can be searched by location and meeting type. You may download a schedule in PDF format.
A Newcomer Asks
Learn more about A.A. meetings in A Newcomer Asks.
Trying to Help a Family Member or Friend?
If someone you care about has a drinking problem, A.A. might have a solution. A.A. has helped more than two million alcoholics stop drinking. Recovery works through one alcoholic sharing their experience with another. Please contact us, and we will be happy to help!
Al-Anon Family Groups Offer Help and Hope!
A.A. is made up of alcoholics helping alcoholics recover.
Al-Anon Family Groups is another Twelve Step program for recovery. Their members are made up of people concerned with someone’s drinking problem.
In Al-Anon, members can learn from the experiences of others who have faced similar problems.