AA Meetings in Providence, Rhode Island

AA meetings in Providence, RI, occur at all times of the day, every day of the week and are easy to find using the table below. As is typical, sessions are held from the morning to night so members can always have somewhere to go if they need help. The Providence chapter of the AA community also lets people attend meetings online and has various Zoom groups active in the area.

Providence, RI, AA Meetings Overview

Providence is the capital city of Rhode Island, the smallest in size state in the US. The capital itself features many different locations for AA RI meetings where members from other parts of the state can attend if they do not have any local options. Given the city’s centrality, it is not unusual for members to come from surrounding areas like Delaware and Vermont.

The main AA chapter for Rhode Island lists over fifteen different groups in the Providence area. Visitors can set the filter to find sessions in the state, which may or may not be challenging to attend in person. Many groups also meet online via Zoom, and there are many more online options than in-person gatherings in the Providence area.

You can also look for AA groups in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Delaware. In addition, there is easy access to other groups outside the immediate area of Rhode Island, so people can find the help they need in several locations, not just RI. The groups also have different entry requirements and have other formats to be more accepting and inclusive.

How Do Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Providence, RI, Look?

The general makeup and composition of AA meetings in Providence, RI, resemble meetings all over the Intergroup network. Visitors will find several types of gatherings, each with different aims and topics of discussion. For example, groups often discuss the 12-Steps, close-reading of AA literature, or open group discussions.

Some groups are often led by an experienced member or counselor, while others are open to all and have no clear plan or format. For example, open meetings are open to all people – newcomers, non-alcoholics who want to observe, family members – while closed groups are only open to alcoholics and long-time members who need help from other experienced members.

AA in RI also has groups dedicated to women-only discussions while also making space for people who speak English as a second language, like Spanish, to find help in their language. The chapter also hosts groups that conform to different thematic formats like groups dedicated to literature study (Big Book, Daily Reflections) or that are open-ended.

Get The Most From an AA Meeting in Providence, RI

Mutual support groups like AA consist of people breaking down their defenses to admit that they have a problem and that they need help. These formats can be daunting to people who are accustomed to being shamed and guilted for their self-destructive behavior. But mutual support organizations let people feel safe and welcomed in a group setting.

With exceptions, a typical 12-step gathering consists mainly of current or former alcoholics. So, everyone has some understanding of what other people are going through, which is a powerful aspect of these recovery programs. In addition, the bonds that people form are beneficial and important to people who need constant support and counseling.

People who can trust and confide in strangers are one way of attempting to help them reach sobriety. These are the benefits of a social exchange situation that AA helps foster with its commitment not to punishment or judgment but to assisting people in getting better and recovering.

Need Help That AA Can’t Provide? Find Alcohol Rehab Centers in Providence, RI

While the Intergroup organization and 12-Step philosophy have been helping people for over a century to overcome alcohol abuse, their approach might not be the best for everyone. Some may prefer to have a medically-supervised treatment program based on evidence-based practices. In addition, some may want to attend 12-step gatherings to supplement the outpatient counseling at a specialized center.

Whatever the case, Addiction Resource is the place to go for people looking for substance and alcohol abuse in their area. Visitors to the website can enter their zip code to find a state-licensed and certified substance rehabilitation center in their area or call the 24-hour hotline to speak with an outreach counselor directly.

Page Sources

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2. Kelly, J. F., & Yeterian, J. D. (2011). The role of mutual-help groups in extending the framework of treatment. Alcohol research & health : the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 33(4), 350–355.
3. Eysenbach, G., Powell, J., Englesakis, M., Rizo, C., & Stern, A. (2004). Health related virtual communities and electronic support groups: systematic review of the effects of online peer to peer interactions. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 328(7449), 1166. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1166