What Kinds of SLAA Meetings Are There?
There are many meeting formats in SLAA. Each meeting’s format is decided by “group conscience,” and is subject to change by that group. Here are some common meeting formats. Several of these formats may be combined in any meeting.
Speaker Meeting. One or more members of SLAA share experience, strength and hope by telling their “stories.” Each speaker’s story provides an opportunity to reflect on our own history, feelings, and challenges.
Topic Discussion Meeting. A specific recovery topic is suggested by the members, or taken from SLAA literature. When this type of meeting is combined with a Speaker format, embers may also be invited to share how they relate to the speaker’s story.
Step Meeting. The group focuses on one of the Twelve Steps, often reading out of the SLAA basic text, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. The group might also have one person speak on the Step. The meeting is then open for other members to share on that Step.
Getting Current Meeting. Members are encouraged to briefly share with the group the recent or on-going emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges to their sobriety, or to ask for help if they are in danger of acting out. Sometimes an entire meeting is devoted to “getting current.”
Newcomer Meeting. The meeting addresses specific concerns of newcomers to SLAA, or beginners on the road to recovery. Topics often revolve around the first three Steps, sponsorship, bottom lines, abstinence, or withdrawal.
Other types of SLAA meetings also exist. If you have questions about a meeting, please be encouraged to ask local members about it.
Exerpted from © 1997 The Augustine Fellowship, SLAA-FWS, Welcome pamphlet