Speaker A.A. Meetings

What Are Speaker A.A. Meetings?

Speaker A.A. meetings are gatherings where one or more members share their personal stories of addiction and recovery with the group. These meetings center around individual testimonials that follow the A.A. format of sharing "experience, strength, and hope"—what life was like during active addiction, what happened to bring about change, and what life is like in recovery.

Speaker meetings are among the most inspiring and educational formats in A.A., offering real-world examples of recovery in action. They provide newcomers with hope that recovery is possible while reminding long-term members of how far they've come and why continued participation in A.A. matters.

These meetings can be either open (welcoming anyone) or closed (for people with drinking problems only), though many speaker meetings are open to help educate the broader community about addiction and recovery. The personal stories shared often serve as powerful testimonials to the effectiveness of the A.A. program.

Meeting Format and Structure

Speaker meetings follow a structured format designed to create the right atmosphere for sharing and listening to personal recovery stories.

Typical Meeting Timeline

Speaker Selection Process

Speakers are typically chosen by the meeting chairperson or through a group conscience process. Selection criteria often include:

• Having a solid foundation in recovery (often 1+ years of sobriety)
• Willingness to share honestly about their experience
• Ability to relate their story to A.A. principles and recovery
• Comfort speaking in front of groups
• Having worked at least some of the Twelve Steps
• Active participation in A.A. and the local recovery community

The "Experience, Strength, and Hope" Format

A.A. speakers traditionally organize their stories around three main themes that provide a complete picture of addiction and recovery. This format helps ensure that stories are both personal and universally relatable.

Why This Format Works

The "experience, strength, and hope" format is effective because it:

• Provides a complete narrative arc that listeners can follow
• Demonstrates that recovery is possible regardless of how bad things got
• Shows the practical application of A.A. principles in real life
• Offers hope without minimizing the reality of addiction
• Allows listeners to identify with different aspects of the story
• Emphasizes progress rather than perfection

Types of Speaker Meetings

Speaker meetings come in various formats, each offering different benefits and experiences for both speakers and attendees.

What to Expect as an Attendee

Attending your first speaker meeting can be both inspiring and overwhelming. Understanding what to expect can help you get the most from the experience.

The Listening Experience

Speaker meetings are primarily about listening rather than participating. Your role as an attendee is to:

• Listen with an open mind: Try to identify with feelings and experiences rather than focusing on differences
• Look for similarities: Focus on how the speaker's emotions and struggles relate to your own
• Avoid judging or comparing: Everyone's bottom and recovery journey looks different
• Take what you need: You don't have to relate to everything—just take what's useful
• Respect the speaker's courage: Sharing personal stories takes tremendous bravery

Common Emotional Responses

It's normal to have strong emotional reactions during speaker meetings. Common responses include:

Etiquette and Guidelines

Speaker meetings have specific etiquette that helps maintain a respectful atmosphere:

• Arrive on time: Late arrivals can be disruptive during personal sharing
• Silence devices: Phone interruptions are particularly disrespectful during speaker shares
• Give full attention: Avoid side conversations or distractions
• No note-taking of personal details: General concepts are fine, but respect privacy
• Stay for the full meeting: Leaving during a speaker's story can be hurtful
• Respect confidentiality: Don't discuss speaker's personal details outside the meeting
• Thank the speaker: A simple "thank you" after the meeting is always appreciated

If You're Invited to Share

Many speaker meetings include time for brief sharing from attendees. If you're called upon:

• Keep it brief (usually 2-3 minutes)
• Focus on how the speaker's story related to your experience
• Share what you found helpful or inspiring
• Avoid giving advice or "fixing" the speaker's problems
• You can always pass if you're not ready to share

Benefits for Different Audiences

Speaker meetings provide unique benefits for people at different stages of their relationship with alcohol and recovery.

For Newcomers to A.A.

Speaker meetings are often recommended for people new to A.A. because they:

For People Questioning Their Drinking

Those who aren't sure they have a drinking problem often find speaker meetings helpful because:

• They can identify with the progression described in drinking stories
• Speakers often describe early warning signs they ignored
• Stories show that denial is a common part of alcohol problems
• They hear from "functional" people with alcohol problems
• No pressure to identify as having a problem—just listen and learn

For Long-Term Members

Even people with years of sobriety benefit from speaker meetings:

• Renewed gratitude: Remembering how far they've come
• Continued learning: New perspectives on recovery and life challenges
• Vigilance reminder: Staying aware of the progressive nature of addiction
• Service opportunity: Supporting newcomers through their presence
• Community connection: Staying connected to the broader A.A. fellowship

For Family Members and Friends

Open speaker meetings provide valuable education for loved ones:

• Understanding addiction as a disease rather than a choice
• Learning what recovery looks like and what to expect
• Gaining insight into their loved one's struggles
• Finding hope during difficult times
• Learning how to better support someone in recovery

For Healthcare Professionals

Professionals working with people with alcohol problems gain:

• Real-world understanding of addiction and recovery
• Insight into how peer support programs function
• Better ability to make appropriate referrals
• Understanding of the spiritual/emotional aspects of recovery
• Appreciation for the long-term nature of recovery

Benefits for the Speakers

While much focus is placed on what attendees gain from speaker meetings, the act of speaking provides significant benefits for the people sharing their stories.

Personal Growth and Reflection

Preparing to speak often requires deep self-reflection:

• Reviewing and processing their recovery journey
• Identifying patterns and growth areas in their story
• Recognizing progress they might have taken for granted
• Connecting their experience to A.A. principles
• Gaining new insights about their own recovery

Service and Purpose

Speaking at meetings fulfills A.A.'s principle of service:

Strengthening Recovery

The act of speaking often strengthens the speaker's own recovery:

• Renewed gratitude for their sobriety
• Increased accountability to continue working their program
• Deeper connection to A.A. and the recovery community
• Greater appreciation for how far they've come
• Motivation to continue growing in recovery

Building Confidence and Connection

Many speakers find that sharing their story:

• Builds confidence in their ability to help others
• Creates deeper connections within the A.A. community
• Improves their communication and public speaking skills
• Reduces shame about their past through open sharing
• Provides a sense of purpose and meaning in recovery

Preparing to Be a Speaker

If you're asked to speak at a meeting or considering volunteering to share your story, preparation can help you give an effective and meaningful presentation.

When You Might Be Ready

While there are no hard rules, most groups suggest speakers have:

• At least one year of continuous sobriety (varies by group)
• Active participation in A.A. and working the steps
• Sponsorship experience (having a sponsor and/or sponsoring others)
• Emotional stability and perspective on their drinking and recovery
• Willingness to share honestly about their experience
• Understanding of A.A. principles and how they apply to their story

Story Preparation Tips

What to Include and Avoid

Finding Speaker Meetings

Speaker meetings are common in most A.A. communities and can be found through various resources.

How to Identify Speaker Meetings

When looking at meeting listings, speaker meetings are often indicated by:

• Meeting descriptions that say "Speaker" or "Lead"
• Meeting names that include "Speaker Meeting"
• Designations like "SP" in meeting directories
• Descriptions mentioning "Lead Speaker" or "Panel"
• Special event listings for anniversary celebrations

Best Times for New Attendees

Some speaker meetings may be particularly welcoming for newcomers:

Special Speaker Events

Many A.A. communities host special speaker events that can be particularly powerful:

• Anniversary celebrations: Members celebrating milestone sobriety dates
• Convention speakers: Regional or area conventions featuring inspiring speakers
• Alcathons: Marathon meetings during holidays featuring multiple speakers
• Workshop speakers: Educational events focusing on specific topics
• Founders Day events: Annual celebrations of A.A.'s founding

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Learn more about different types of A.A. meetings and recovery resources: