AA Meetings in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

AA Harrisburg is the local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous that provides regular meetings to local people struggling with alcohol abuse. Gatherings are scheduled for every day of the week and take place at various locations throughout the Harrisburg area. Harrisburg AA meetings are no different from any other 12-step groups throughout the country and offer support to both alcoholics and their immediate families.

Harrisburg AA Meetings Overview

Harrisburg, PA, the state capital of Pennsylvania and the seat of Dauphin county, has an active AA community that holds sessions every day. There are over 25 scheduled gatherings for local residents to attend both in-person and online. Online, Zoom sessions are available to those who wish to remain at home but still want to participate in a group.

The majority of Harrisburg, PA, AA meetings occur at community centers and churches. Many of the gatherings are scheduled throughout the day. The earliest begins at 7 am, and the latest is scheduled for 8:30 in the evening. Meeting locations include the local Fellowship House, the New Life Community Church, and the Susquehanna Valley Church.

Membership requirements vary among the groups. Some are open to all, while others are closed to long-time members or family members of alcoholics. Other gatherings are also gender-specific and available only to men or women. Depending on the location, some sessions may be wheelchair accessible and have facilities for physically disabled people.

How Do Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Harrisburg, PA Look?

The local chapter of AA Harrisburg has many of the same rules and entry requirements that govern all Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. In addition, people interested in attending a meeting in the Harrisburg area should consult the local chapter’s Intergroup website. Times and locations are listed there, so visitors have a complete picture of the requirements.

Each gathering has different requirements and offerings consistent with the different needs that members have. Members can find groups that are held in Spanish or other languages. There are also Harrisburg AA meetings that cater to people interested in studying the Big Book and its teachings. These groups use the Big Book as a jumping-off point to learn more about sobriety and personal growth, rather than having open discussions as most typical 12-step meetings consist.

There are also distinctions like gatherings strictly for newcomers who have never attended in-person sessions. There are AA Harrisburg closed sessions for those who have been in the program for a long time. These are traditional distinctions that have been a marker of Alcoholics Anonymous for some time and help new people transition into the program, while others who have been in it for a long time can continue their recovery.

Get The Most From an AA Meeting Harrisburg, PA

A central question of the 12-step process has always been whether it works or not. Many studies have tried to answer this question, and, by and large, they have shown that the 12-step program does indeed help people overcome alcohol use disorder and stay sober.

However, these studies have shown that the key to success with the Alcoholics Anonymous philosophy is regularly attending meetings and actively participating in the 12-step program. Even something as simple as regularly attending sessions can help people instill a sense of discipline and commitment to the program.

But while AA Harrisburg attendance is essential, actively participating in the program and sharing one’s story and struggles can also help foster a sense of community and connectivity. These connections are also crucial to help people feel supported and encouraged to continue in the program.

Need Help That AA Can’t Provide? Find Alcohol Rehab Centers in Harrisburg, PA

While AA and the 12-Step program are widely-used and popular, they are not for everyone. The program has ties to religious teachings that can be unappealing to some. These ties can often hamper people’s efforts to find a suitable recovery program for themselves or loved ones or turn them off entirely from getting help.

If you or someone you know needs alcohol or substance abuse help in Harrisburg, PA, you can always visit the Addiction Resource website to find different mutual support recovery programs that are also available. Several different programs are available for people, including SMART Recovery, LifeRing, and WFS (Women for Sobriety).

Page Sources

1. Krentzman, A. R., Robinson, E. A., Moore, B. C., Kelly, J. F., Laudet, A. B., White, W. L., Zemore, S. E., Kurtz, E., & Strobbe, S. (2010). How Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Work: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives. Alcoholism treatment quarterly, 29(1), 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347324.2011.538318
2. Zemore, S. E., Lui, C., Mericle, A., Hemberg, J., & Kaskutas, L. A. (2018). A longitudinal study of the comparative efficacy of Women for Sobriety, LifeRing, SMART Recovery, and 12-step groups for those with AUD. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 88, 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2018.02.004