Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction, available in cities across the United States. In Texas, specifically in Laredo and surrounding areas, AA offers a free program with regular group meetings to help individuals achieve sobriety, with details found at https://www.wfmh.org/aa/texas/webb/laredo.
What is AA?
AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking, and there are no dues or fees for AA membership. AA is self-supporting through its own contributions and is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution. Its primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.
Primary Purpose Group, Laredo, TX
The Primary Purpose Group is located at 6202 McPherson Rd Suite 3, Laredo, TX 78041. Meetings are held every night at 7:00 pm, all of which are open meetings. On Tuesdays, there is a 12&12 Study meeting, and on Sundays, a Big Book Study takes place.
Gratitude Group, Laredo, TX
The Gratitude Group is located at 4120 San Bernardo Ste. 4, Laredo, TX 78041. English-speaking meetings are available every day at noon (open meetings) and 8:00 pm (closed meetings), with a Big Book Study on Thursdays at noon. Spanish-speaking meetings are held every day at 6:30 pm (closed meetings), with additional meetings on Saturdays at 10:00 am and Sundays at 11:00 am.
Freer Group AA Meeting
The Freer Group AA Meeting is located at the Civic Center – West Entrance, Freer, TX. This meeting is held on Thursdays at 7:00 pm and is an open AA discussion meeting. Freer is approximately 58 miles from Laredo, making it a convenient option for those in the surrounding area.
The 12 Steps of AA
The 12 Steps of AA are a program designed to help individuals achieve sobriety and maintain it through a structured process. Here is a detailed description of each step:
- Admit Powerlessness – Recognizing that one is powerless over alcohol and that life has become unmanageable due to alcohol consumption. Members acknowledge their inability to control their drinking and the negative impact it has on their lives.
- Come to Believe – Coming to believe that a power greater than oneself can restore sanity. Members open themselves to the idea that they need help beyond their own capabilities.
- Make a Decision – Making a decision to turn one’s will and life over to the care of God as each member understands Him, committing to the recovery process.
- Conduct a Moral Inventory – A thorough examination of one’s past actions and their impact on others, identifying character defects and harmful behaviors.
- Admit Wrongdoings – Admitting to oneself, to another person, and to God the exact nature of one’s wrongs, often sharing the moral inventory with a trusted sponsor.
- Be Ready to Change – Being ready to have God remove all these defects of character, showing willingness to let go of the past.
- Humbly Ask for Help – Humbly asking God to remove one’s shortcomings, surrendering ego and seeking help in overcoming flaws.
- Make Amends List – Listing all persons harmed and becoming willing to make amends to them all.
- Make Direct Amends – Making direct amends wherever possible, except when it would injure them or others.
- Continue Self-Examination – Continuing personal inventory and promptly admitting when wrong, maintaining self-reflection and accountability.
- Seek Guidance – Seeking through prayer and meditation to improve conscious contact with God, praying for knowledge of His will and power to carry it out.
- Carry the Message – Carrying this message to others and practicing these principles in all affairs, sharing the recovery experience and living by the program’s principles.
Getting Started with AA in Texas, Webb, Laredo, USA
To find local AA meetings in Texas, Webb, and Laredo, use the official AA website, local AA directories, or meeting search tools. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available in most places, providing flexibility for those seeking support.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
There are two main types of AA meetings in Laredo:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open meetings are available to anyone interested in AA, whether they are alcoholic or not. These meetings are a great way for newcomers to learn about AA and for family members to understand the recovery process. |
| Closed Meetings | Closed meetings are for those with a desire to stop drinking. This type of meeting provides a safe space for individuals to share their experiences without the presence of non-alcoholics. |
When attending your first meeting:
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new member.
- Share your experiences if you feel comfortable doing so.
- You might receive a welcome keychain tag at your first meeting, which can be a meaningful gesture of support.
Keychain tags are often given to members as they achieve sobriety milestones:
- 30 Days – Celebrating a month of sobriety.
- 60 Days – Marking two months of continuous sobriety.
- 90 Days – Celebrating three months of sobriety.
- 6 Months, 9 Months, 1 Year, 18 Months – Marking further progress.
- Multiple Years – Celebrating multiple years of sobriety, which is a significant achievement and a testament to the individual’s commitment to their recovery.
These tags serve as reminders of progress and motivation for continued sobriety.