Is secular AA really AA?
Yes. Secular AA meetings are AA meetings. We follow AA's primary purpose: to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
FAQ
Questions about secular AA
If religious language has made AA feel out of reach, you are not the only one. Secular AA keeps the door open for alcoholics who want recovery without being asked to deny their own beliefs or non-belief.
Short version
You are welcome here.
You do not have to believe in God, use spiritual language, pray, or explain yourself before you can seek help in AA. Bring honesty, curiosity, and a desire to stop drinking.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to believe in God to attend?
No. AA includes people with many kinds of belief and non-belief, including atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, humanists, religious members, and people who are unsure. You do not have to adopt anyone else's beliefs to recover in AA.
What makes a meeting secular?
A secular AA meeting makes room for recovery without requiring religious language or belief. Some meetings avoid prayer, some use alternate readings, and many encourage members to speak honestly about doubt, belief, disbelief, or uncertainty.
Are religious people welcome?
Yes. Secular AA is not anti-religion. Members are free to believe, not believe, question, change their minds, or simply focus on staying sober. The point is not agreement about spirituality. The point is recovery.
Do secular AA meetings use the Twelve Steps?
Many do. Some groups read the original Twelve Steps, some read secular interpretations, and some discuss the principles behind the Steps in practical language. Alternate wording is not AA Conference-approved literature unless clearly identified as such.
What if the word God bothers me?
You are not alone. AA has published material specifically for agnostic and atheist members. Many members find ways to work with AA through the group, honesty, service, conscience, community, or other practical sources of strength.
What happens at a secular AA meeting?
Most meetings look familiar to anyone who has attended AA: readings, sharing, discussion, speaker formats, anniversaries, and service. The difference is usually tone and language. People can speak openly without translating their experience into religious terms.
Can I attend if I am new and not sure I am alcoholic?
Yes. If you have a desire to stop drinking, or even if you are trying to understand your drinking, you are welcome at open AA meetings. Closed meetings are for AA members or people who think they may have a drinking problem.
Why do some secular groups avoid prayer?
Some groups choose not to use prayer so newcomers who are atheist, agnostic, religiously wounded, uncertain, or simply uncomfortable with religious language can feel included. Other AA meetings may make different choices.
Why does this site only list certain meetings?
For Canada-wide listings, we only post meetings we can verify through automatic AA sources such as Meeting Guide or public AA service feeds. That helps keep listings current and makes sure meeting information is maintained by the responsible AA service body.
Can secular AA members also attend regular AA meetings?
Of course. Many secular members attend both secular and non-secular AA meetings. Secular AA is not separate from AA. It is one way AA carries the message to alcoholics who may not otherwise feel they belong.
AA reading
More from AA and AA Grapevine
These AA and AA Grapevine resources are good starting points for members who wonder whether atheist, agnostic, or uncertain people can belong in AA.
Ready to try a meeting?
You can sit quietly, listen, ask questions after the meeting, or contact us first.