What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free peer support group designed to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. It offers a structured program of recovery through regular group meetings available across cities in the United States, including Kentucky, Jefferson County, and Louisville, with more information available at https://www.wfmh.org/aa/kentucky/jefferson/louisville.
These meetings provide a safe environment where members can share their experiences and support one another on the path to sobriety. The program is free of charge and open to all adults seeking help with alcohol dependency.
The Healing Place
Address: 715 East Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Meeting Times: Daily at 8:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM, and 7:00 PM.
The Healing Place holds multiple in-person meetings each day focusing on the 12-step recovery program. Meetings emphasize personal accountability, spiritual growth, and mutual support among members in a supportive community setting.
Calvary Episcopal Church
Address: 821 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40203
Meeting Times: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 12:00 PM.
Meetings at Calvary Episcopal Church are held in person and follow an open discussion format, allowing attendees to freely share their experiences and challenges. The welcoming environment encourages openness and peer support.
Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
Address: 4936 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY 40222
Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 PM.
These meetings are currently conducted virtually via Zoom to accommodate members remotely. They use an open discussion format that fosters connection and motivation through shared stories and group guidance.
The 12 Steps of AA
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
This step helps members recognize the need for help and accept that their addiction controls them. - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Encourages hope by acknowledging a higher power can help restore balance and control. - Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
This step involves surrendering control to a spiritual guidance that aids recovery. - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Members assess their behaviors and attitudes honestly to understand the root causes of addiction. - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Sharing faults with others helps reduce shame and fosters accountability. - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Prepares members for personal growth by being willing to change destructive habits. - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Involves seeking spiritual help to overcome personal faults. - Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Promotes responsibility towards others affected by one’s addiction. - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Focuses on repairing relationships and reconciliation. - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Encourages ongoing self-awareness and humility. - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
Supports spiritual growth and clarity. - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.
Emphasizes service to others and maintaining sobriety through shared experience.
Getting Started with AA in Kentucky, Jefferson, Louisville, USA
The best way for individuals to find local AA meetings in Kentucky, Jefferson County, and Louisville is to visit wfmh.org. This site provides a comprehensive and up-to-date directory of meetings both in-person and virtual available in most areas.
Most cities and counties offer options that suit varying needs, including face-to-face group settings and online virtual meetings, accommodating members with different schedules and preferences.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
When attending your first AA meeting in Kentucky, Jefferson, or Louisville, it is important to understand the difference between open and closed meetings to choose one that fits your comfort level and privacy needs.
| Type of Meeting | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in the AA program, including non-alcoholics. Visitors and newcomers are welcome to observe or participate. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to individuals who identify as having a drinking problem or who think they may have one. Designed to provide a confidential environment. |
It is recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member; this helps meeting coordinators and members to welcome and support you. Sharing your story is optional and should only be done when you feel comfortable.
New members often receive welcome keychain tags commemorating milestones in sobriety. These serve as encouraging reminders of progress and dedication.
- 30 Days: Celebrates one month of sobriety, highlighting the initial commitment to recovery.
- 60 Days: Recognizes continued abstinence and growing strength in sobriety.
- 1 Year: Marks a significant achievement of maintained sobriety, symbolizing resilience and growth.
- Additional milestones vary by group but often include 6 months, 9 months, multiple years, or decades of sobriety.