What is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free support group for people struggling with alcohol addiction. Regular group meetings are held in various locations across Fort Lauderdale.
Sunrise Park AA Group
- Monday – Friday at noon (open discussion)
- Tuesday at 6:00 pm (closed discussion for alcoholics only)
LGBT AA Pride Club
- Sunday at 11:00 am (closed discussion)
- Wednesday at 6:30 pm (open discussion)
Sober Today Club
- Monday at 8:00 pm (closed discussion)
- Friday at 5:30 pm (open discussion)
The 12 Steps of AA
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an important resource for those struggling with alcohol addiction in Fort Lauderdale and across Broward County, Florida. The program outlines a 12-step process to help members achieve and maintain sobriety.
The 12 steps are:
- Step 1: Admitting one is powerless over alcohol and that one’s life has become unmanageable.
- Step 2: Coming to believe that a Power greater than oneself can restore sanity.
- Step 3: Making a decision to turn one’s will and life over to the care of God as understood.
- Step 4: Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of oneself.
- Step 5: Admitting to God, to oneself, and to another human being the exact nature of one’s wrongs.
- Step 6: Being entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Step 7: Humbly ask God to remove shortcomings.
- Step 8: Making a list of all persons harmed and becoming willing to make amends to them all.
- Step 9: Make direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
- Step 10: Continuing to take personal inventory and promptly admitting when wrong.
- Step 11: Seeking through prayer and meditation to improve conscious contact with God as understood, praying only for knowledge of God’s will and the power to carry that out.
- Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, try to carry this message to other alcoholics and practice these principles in all affairs.
The 12 steps aim to motivate members toward positive change and growth in Fort Lauderdale and across Broward County, Florida. AA provides an important resource for those struggling with alcohol addiction in the community.
Getting Started with AA in Fort Lauderdale
Use the meeting search on udetc.org to find local meetings in your area. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available in most places.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting in Fort Lauderdale
There are two main types of AA meetings in Fort Lauderdale:
| Open Meetings | Closed Meetings |
| Open to anyone interested in AA program | Only for those who have a desire to stop drinking |
| Family, friends, and observers are welcome | For alcoholics only |
| Beginners meetings often open | More discussion focused |
Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member. Share your experiences if you feel comfortable. You’ll receive welcome keychain tags marking sobriety milestones at your first meeting:
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 90 days
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 1 year
- 18 months
- Years 2-50
Keep attending meetings and stay connected to support your sobriety in Fort Lauderdale. Reach out to local members and sponsors for guidance. Get involved and give back to help others.