Richfield Bloomington Alano offers several meeting formats.
- Closed Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are limited to those who are seeking help for a drinking problem and consider themselves Alcoholics.
- Open AA meetings are open to Alcoholics, nonalcoholics and anyone who is interested in learning what Alcoholics Anonymous is and how AA works.
- Speaker meetings, where an AA member shares their story detailing what brought them to the program and how their lives have changed because of the program.
- Step and Big Book Meetings discuss the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Steps and sections from the Big Book of AA.
Most meetings held at Richfield Bloomington Alano are considered discussion meetings, during which members take turns sharing thoughts on open topics or a topic selected by the group. Members share their experience, strength and hope freely and are never required to speak. Some of our squads offer an online AA meetings support group.
Richfield Bloomington Alano also has Al-anon meetings scheduled throughout the week which offer support to anyone with a family member or friend who struggles with addiction.
Please note speaker, discussion, Al-anon, and Step/Big Book meetings can be either open or closed.
The Big Book of AA and the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Steps offer a spiritual solution to the problem of addiction which is discussed during AA meetings. Alcoholics Anonymous members are not required to align themselves with any particular religion, however, most learn the importance of giving their lives over to a higher power. In meetings our members discuss the idea of being powerless over alcohol, seeking guidance from a spiritual being, clearing away the wreckage of their pasts, embracing spirituality in all aspects of their lives, and the importance of sharing this information with others. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are made up of a fellowship of individuals who help each other stay sober and live meaningful lives.