Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland – Cahir Townspark

Support groups located across County Tipperary

• National Contact Number : 01 842 0700
• Email: gso@alcoholicsanonymous.ie

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

• The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.  There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.
• A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
• Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.

Open Meetings:

These meetings seek to reach the suffering alcoholic through a third party and will very often be attended by a group of Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Teachers, Prison Officers, Gardai/Police, Public Media etc. These people in their daily work are frequently in contact with alcoholics.

Closed Meetings:

These meetings are strictly for those who have a drink problem or think they have a drink problem.

The meetings are “Sharing Meetings”, where members talk about their drinking, how they came to AA and how AA has helped them to stay sober. There is a 12 Step programme for recovery within AA to help members stay sober, but you will find out more about this in time.

You may see letters after the times on some Closed meetings, these indicate a ‘theme’ or ‘topic’ for the meeting, these are explained below:

• BB: This stands for ‘Big Book’ which is story of Alcoholics Anonymous and how it works.
• S: This stands for ‘Steps’ which is the 12 Steps of the AA Recovery Programme.
• T: This stands for ‘Traditions’ which is the 12 Traditions of AA which apply to the Fellowship. They outline the means by which AA maintains its unity and relates itself to the world about it.
• B: This stands for ‘Beginners’, while everyone at any stage of their recovery can attend AA meetings, a newcomer may be more comfortable attending this type of meeting.

Meetings last approximately one hour. You can go 10 -15 minutes before the meeting begins should you wish to talk to a member on your own, or you can take a seat and listen at the meeting itself. When the meeting is over, members usually have a tea or coffee and this would give you an opportunity to talk to someone on your own, having listened at the meeting. It is just a matter of introducing yourself to any of the members, using your first name only because of anonymity, let them know that it is your first time to attend a meeting and they will take it from there.

It is important to remember that AA members will understand what you are going through.