Online meetings for aa have been around for years but have become more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. They address a key vulnerability for alcoholics by providing a sense of community and connection.
Meeting formats vary widely, from a simple email listserv to video conferencing and chatrooms. Some groups may also require a signed pledge of attendance or other form of proof of attendance.
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Benefits
Online meetings for aa are a great option for people who have trouble travelling or who are struggling with childcare, illness or work challenges. They can also be helpful for people with social anxiety who may find attending an in-person meeting nerve-wracking.
AA meetings can be held in person, over the phone or on the Internet through Skype, Zoom and other video platforms. They can be open or closed, and members decide on their own format and location. Some groups read excerpts from the Big Book, while others study a particular Step or Tradition in rotation. Generally, the meeting begins with the chair reading the A.A. preamble and calling for a moment of silence or the Serenity Prayer.
A recent study found that people who attend online recovery support groups are more likely to have drank alcohol or used drugs recently and to be in early recovery. These findings are consistent with other research on tele-health services.
Formats
Online meetings are available in a variety of formats, including real-time chats using web applications such as Zoom, email discussions, telephone chats, and audio or video meetings. Some are geared toward specific groups, such as women, military members, or deaf/hard-of-hearing, while others are open to all participants. Many of these meetings are structured and follow a regular schedule, while others are ‘catch-as-catch-can’ and don’t have a set agenda. Most of these meetings are conducted by a facilitator, and some have designated time keepers to ensure that the meeting doesn’t run long. The facilitator may also use the mute all function to prevent side talk during sharing times. Some online AA meetings also allow members to change their screen name and/or turn off their camera for added privacy.
Costs
A virtual meeting is a team or 1-on-1 discussion that takes place online. It can include screen sharing, collaboration tools, and interactive activities. It is also known as a web conference or video conference. The cost associated with these meetings is often much less than a traditional meeting in-person. This allows businesses to save money by avoiding travel expenses and providing a flexible workspace for their employees.
Unlike face-to-face meetings, online meetings can be held from anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. In addition, online meetings reduce the carbon footprint and can make your business more sustainable.
It is important to note that the costs of virtual meetings can be quite high if the conferencing software used is not reliable. It is advisable to test the software before the start of the meeting to ensure that it is working properly. You should also wait a few minutes before the scheduled time to connect so that any problems can be resolved without delaying the start of the meeting.
Security
Online meetings for aaa are a great way to maintain anonymity, but they must be secure to prevent trolls from disrupting the meeting. To protect your privacy, avoid sharing details about the meeting on social media and ensure that participants can’t save chats from the meeting. Also, disable the virtual background feature and far end camera control to prevent zoom bombers from taking over attendees’ cameras during a meeting.
A group’s safety depends on the members themselves, and they must take measures to protect their own personal and financial well-being. They can also use their group conscience and service entities to set appropriate boundaries for their meetings. For example, groups may decide not to tolerate illegal activities like drug sales or other illegal behavior within the meeting.
Moreover, if the safety of participants is threatened, a group should call law enforcement officials. This does not go against the Traditions and should not be viewed as an attempt to hide criminal behavior.