AA Meetings in Hartford, Connecticut

AA meetings in Hartford, Connecticut, are spread throughout the day and night and occur in several different locations around the city. The gatherings consist of several groups with varying entry requirements, languages, and accessibility options. Anyone interested in finding out more about AA groups offered in Hartford can call the local AA group for more details.

Hartford, CT: AA Meetings Overview

Hartford is Connecticut’s capital city, and it is one of the biggest cities in New England. It is also one of the oldest cities in the US, founded in 1635. The city maintains a small but essential network of Alcoholics Anonymous groups that operate as AA Hartford County. Members and non-members alike can find various gatherings in the city’s local support infrastructure.

The number of meetings each day is small compared to other localities where the number might be more significant. There are a small number of groups, but they are consistent and offered every day of the week. On a typical day, people can find AA meetings in Harford county from among the thirty different groups located in various spots around the city.

AA Meetings Hartford, CT are also varied and are divided up along the usual lines for Intergroup sessions. Some meetings are open to all, including non-alcoholics or family members. Other sessions are reserved only for long-time members. Others still feature several different activities, including Big Book study, Daily Reflections, and group discussions.

How Do Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Hartford, CT Look?

The sessions in Hartford for people struggling with alcohol abuse have the same rules and guidelines as meetings everywhere else. Groups are often divided between several criteria like sessions for men or women only, groups for the study of the Big Book, or meetings that are open discussion forums.

Many groups have various itineraries that can include all of the features mentioned above, like the study of the Big Book, reciting of Daily Reflections to prompt discussions and sharing, and a review of the 12-Steps. In addition, several AA meetings in Hartford county take place online via Zoom for members unable to attend in-person or because of Covid-19 restrictions.

There are no set time limits for these sessions, and they can typically run between an hour and two hours. The duration also depends on the number of people in attendance and whether they want to continue the session. But, again, there are no set guidelines determining how long sessions will last, and the people in attendance usually decide them.

Get The Most From an AA Meeting in Hartford, CT

Mutual support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous are guided by a specific principle: the 12-Steps. But this process requires discipline and honesty from all participants, which studies have shown have an essential physiological impact on them. In addition, people who comply with the rigors of the 12-Steps have increased chances of remaining sober for longer, improving their overall sociability and self-sufficiency.

People trying to get sober and stay that way should know that the process will be complicated. But they should also remember that not getting sober and staying on the path of alcohol abuse is even worse and life-threatening. Supporting abstinence and maintaining sobriety is what the 12-Step program was designed to do, but it requires total commitment to have any positive impact.

There is also evidence that Alcoholics Anonymous (and its offshoot, Narcotics Anonymous) can provide supplementary support to people involved in inpatient or outpatient treatment centers. This support is almost evenly split between adult or teenage participants and can even help people who abuse other substances or behaviors like sex, gambling, or compulsive shopping.

Need Help That AA Can’t Provide? Find Alcohol Rehab Centers in Hartford, CT

There are many good things about Alcoholics Anonymous, but it is not for everyone. The nature of addiction and substance abuse is such that everyone requires individualized treatment to help them better address any underlying issues or co-morbidities (mental illness, depression, etc.)

While the 12-Steps are helpful in many ways, they cannot offer the specialized and evidence-based treatments offered by dedicated rehabilitation centers. Addiction Resource is a free website that gives people looking for substance abuse treatment many options in their area. Users can find help near them with the location tool or call a 24hr hotline to connect with a treatment specialist that will help you find resources close by.

Page Sources

1. Donovan, D. M., Ingalsbe, M. H., Benbow, J., & Daley, D. C. (2013). 12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: an overview. Social work in public health, 28(3-4), 313–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2013.774663
2. Kelly, J. F., Dow, S. J., Yeterian, J. D., & Kahler, C. W. (2010). Can 12-step group participation strengthen and extend the benefits of adolescent addiction treatment? A prospective analysis. Drug and alcohol dependence, 110(1-2), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.02.019
3. Chanin A. (2000). Twelve-Step Programs as an Adjunct to Psychotherapy and Psychopharmacology. Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, 2(4), 130–133. https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.v02n0405