AA was co-founded by Bill Wilson, author of a book called Alcoholics Anonymous, which was published in 1939. Alcoholics Anonymous laid out the central tenets of what eventually became the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is commonly called The Big Book.
Alcoholics Anonymous is all about helping alcoholics stay sober. AA meetings in Iowa all have this purpose, but their formats vary. Some meetings involve book studies and/or group discussions. Others feature a main speaker or a group of speakers. Attendees are not required to reveal any personal information about themselves or talk to anyone.
AA meetings in Iowa help alcoholics remain sober by giving them the information, community, and accountability that they need. In a community that is all about recovery, they can recognize their addiction for what it is and do what is necessary in order to take control of their lives. They can do so without having to pay anything since membership in AA is absolutely free.
No AA meeting in Iowa is exactly the same as another. AA groups have one central purpose, but meetings vary in terms of their feel and format. Since everyone has their own, unique needs and personalities, a particular group will not be right for everyone. If you do not think that a specific AA group in Iowa is right for you, you can visit another one.
Something to know about AA meetings in Iowa is that they are either “closed” or “open.” An “open” meeting is open to anyone regardless of whether they have an alcohol problem or not. A “closed” meeting is for alcoholics only.
If you have never attended an AA meeting in Iowa, please look for one that focuses on the 12 traditions of AA and the 12 steps of AA. Any AA meeting in Iowa will talk about them to some extent, but some meetings focus on them more than others. Anyway, it is more important that you simply attend an AA meeting — any AA meeting in Iowa. Then you can make a decision as to whether you should return or try another group instead.
You might not find an AA group that you are comfortable with right away. When you find one that you are comfortable attending, you can consider it your home group. After a while, you can track your progress with a sobriety calculator.
In order to be successful in your recovery, you should have an optimistic attitude. A positive mindset will go a long way in helping you make the most of AA. You should be receptive to all that Alcoholics Anonymous has to offer. People worldwide have achieved long-term sobriety with the help of AA.
Of course, attendance at meetings should be a regular habit. If you do not show up regularly, you might eventually relapse. As part of an AA group that you feel comfortable in, it helps if you talk to someone who has been sober for a while. That person can be your “sponsor” and keep tabs on you. They can encourage and inspire you to stay sober.
Our list of AA meetings in Iowa is updated regularly, so please feel free to bookmark this page. We can also help you find AA meetings near Iowa or elsewhere.
When you have made some progress, please see how far you have come with our sobriety calculator.