AA beginner

Hi all - A "friend" would like to get some help quitting drinking. He can see all the local meeting times through the nnjaa.org website, but they are all listed as temporarily closed due to covid. So the question is, how do I (oops, I mean he) hook up with local AA remote/Zoom meeting as a beginner?

Thanks,

That's odd that they're closed. You'd think with masks and social distancing, an AA meeting wouldn't be hard to manage.

Good luck.

from what I know, so many people go to AA meetings, its not possible  to distance.  Can you contact the location that hosts the meeting and ask them to give your contact info to the head of the group.

it's very possible to distance if you limit the number of people who can attend any one meeting. That seems a lot more sensible than just cancelling a very needed service.

https://www-businessinsider-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.businessinsider.com/alcoholics-anonymous-aa-meetings-zoom-covid-19-coronavirus-2020-3?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQArABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16079874479118&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Falcoholics-anonymous-aa-meetings-zoom-covid-19-coronavirus-2020-3

June said:

Hi all - A "friend" would like to get some help quitting drinking. He can see all the local meeting times through the nnjaa.org website, but they are all listed as temporarily closed due to covid. So the question is, how do I (oops, I mean he) hook up with local AA remote/Zoom meeting as a beginner?

Thanks,

 The website you list in your post shows a phone number, and a drop-down menu for online meetings.  Maybe look into either of those for more information.

I went to a couple of AA meetings several decades ago when I was in graduate school. (It was for a training program I was part of, but was of interest to me for additional reasons). Although it was a while ago, my experience may still be similar to that of a 'beginner'. 

I was in a college town, and first I went to a meeting that was mostly 'townies'. I remember it being a smoke filled room (back before smoking was banned indoors) and almost everyone was drinking coffee (smoking, coffee, and ice cream tend to be commonly used to address the cravings and withdrawal). Then the meeting had a set format (but I don't recall exactly what it was). 

There were many different people there coming for different reasons and from different types of lives. I recall there being several 'regulars' who attended lots of meetings as their social outlet to avoid going to bars, some who were friendly and looking to mentor newcomers, and some who didn't talk at all (you didn't have to say anything).

Then I attended a different AA meeting group held on the college campus, and it was mostly college students and young adults. So, while the structure was similar, it had a very different feel. 

You can attend different groups until you find one (or more) that you feel most comfortable in.

drummerboy said:

it's very possible to distance if you limit the number of people who can attend any one meeting. That seems a lot more sensible than just cancelling a very needed service.

 but who do you refuse?  how do you co ordinate it?  the one meeting room I saw had well over 100 people.

There are definitely in-person meetings taking place locally, as an acquaintance has voiced concerns about her husband staying afterwards to socialize because many of the attendees are smoking and unmasked, and she worries about his exposure to others. 

June, AA meetings are currently being held online. You can call the Northern NJ AA line 24/7 at 908-687-8566 to get immediate help, information and meeting links. Please don’t hesitate to call if you have a desire to stop drinking. Your life can get better.