AA meetings are a crucial part of a person’s recovery from alcoholism. In fact, many people in AA say that going to meetings is the single most important thing they did to help them recover from addiction.
If you are having trouble finding an AA meeting near your home, work a demanding schedule, are traveling or have disabilities, online AA meetings may be a good option for you.
| Have you tried Meetn, the new online meeting platform? It’s turning out to become a decent alternative to Zoom and to the other major platforms. |
The OIAA’s Directory
There are many different types of AA meetings, from in-person to online. Group members decide the format and modalities for their meetings. Some are open, where everyone can see each other’s faces, while others are closed, where no one can see each other.
For those who want to attend a meeting, the OIAA’s Directory is a great place to start looking for a meeting. This directory includes 1,000+ meetings all over the world, listed in your time zone.
The OIAA is a nonprofit, run for and by AA members. The organization is comprised of voting members (including registered AA groups representatives and officers) who make decisions about the business of OIAA together.
Zoom
Zoom is a great option for holding online aa meetings. It offers high-quality video and audio, integration with popular calendars, and encryption for total privacy.
In addition, it allows you to host multiple video calls at once and display up to 49 participants on your screen in Gallery View, even if you don’t have a Zoom desktop app installed.
You can also record your meetings to your computer or cloud storage for later viewing and listening, and it’s easy to pause/stop recordings if needed.
One drawback of Zoom is that its free plan limits you to 40 minutes per call, though a paid plan (around AU$25/month) eliminates this limit. It also adds some additional features, including 5GB of cloud storage for recording meetings, live chat support, and reporting tools if you need them.
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a free service that allows users to send text messages and photos, as well as make voice calls or video chats. It is available on a variety of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
It is a great way for AA groups to meet online and share with others about the program of recovery. Meetings can be recorded, livestreamed or rebroadcast.
Groups can also use Google Hangouts to create book clubs. They can discuss the books they are reading and recommend new ones.
In addition, educators can use Google Hangouts to schedule study sessions and lessons. They can invite students from around the world to join.
The only drawback of Google Hangouts is that it is not available on all devices. However, it is possible to access it from a desktop computer by visiting the website. This is because it is a browser-based service and does not require an app to be downloaded on your device.
Skype
For those with alcohol use disorder, Skype can be an excellent tool for connecting with others in recovery. The software program is easy to download, free to use and can be accessed on any device that has an Internet connection.
While some people think of Skype as a personal communications service, it can also be used by professionals in business. It offers a variety of features, such as instant messaging, file transfers, screen sharing and more.
Online AA meetings are nothing new, but modern technology has allowed them to grow and evolve in many ways. Today, they can take the form of email listservs, video conferencing, phone conferencing or chatrooms, with discussions taking the form of everything from meditations on the Big Book to personal thoughts and opinions.
Some AA online meetings are open to everyone, while others are restricted to members of the organization. Regardless of the type of meeting, it’s important to find one that fits your needs and that feels right for you.