Find AA Meetings in West Virginia

With the Applachian range looming over the West Virginia skyline, the sun might not always shine, as President John F. Kennedy remarked, but the people do. Unfortunately, lurking in the shadows of the Mountain State is alcohol and substance use. According to the CDC, over 1,200 West Virginians lose their lives due to alcohol-related accidents, and adults who binge drink consume more than 10 drinks per sitting.1 For those impacted by alcohol use disorder, AA meetings in West Virginia offer hope for a safe recovery and brighter days ahead.

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West Virginia matches the national average in terms of adult and high school binge drinkers, but among residents who casually drink, nearly a quarter of West Virginia minors have admitted to trying alcohol, including 10% of children under age 11. 1,2 While officials have funded preventive and recovery programs, alcohol usage continues to take its toll on users, their families, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Alcohol Use in West Virginia

• Between 2008 and 2018, 827 West Virginians died in drunk driving accidents.3
• Excessive alcohol use has cost West Virginia over $1.3 billion in lost productivity.4
• The average West Virginian drinks 4 alcoholic beverages in one sitting, with 12.2% of high school students stating that they drink an average of 5 or more alcoholic drinks in a row.5
• The average cost of drug rehab in West Virginia is $57,881, which places West Virginia near the upper quartile of drug addiction recovery programs.6

Popular Types of AA Meetings in West Virginia

Many West Virginians have confronted alcohol use disorder, and AA has played a key role in promoting a safe recovery. AA meetings are neighborhood-based, have little to no costs, and enable members to form bonds as they battle alcoholism together. Not all AA programs have the same format, and first-time members have the opportunity to find the group that best fits. Below are popular types of AA meetings in West Virginia.

• Discussion: Discussion meetings comprise the most common type of AA program. In discussions, clients have the opportunity to share their experiences, thoughts, and emotions with members in a judgment-free environment. Depending on the group leader, the group may have a dedicated topic per meeting, or a free-flowing format. Most importantly, members can get to know each other, give constructive feedback and reflect, and offer and receive peer support.
• Open Meetings: AA groups consist of members and alumni, but in an open meeting, anyone interested in seeing how AA works can attend, even non-drinkers. In an open meeting, the public can observe meetings and have a chance to address the group in an open forum, usually at the close of the meeting. Members can receive support from non-drinkers, including family and loved ones, and AA members can form tighter ties with their larger community.
• 12 Steps and 12 Traditions: 12 Step and 12 Tradition meetings center on a foundational book for AA. Together, these 24 principles comprise a guide to battle alcoholism and for a life-long sobriety. The 12 Steps generally have a faith-based component that calls upon support from higher powers, while the 12 Traditions reflect on AA as an institution and how each member upholds AA values. Each of the chapters in the book revolve around one principle, and members can share their insight and goals that they have learned from reading the text.
• Speaker Meetings: At times, AA might invite an outside guest speaker to address the group. The speaker, usually an AA alumnus, has first-hand experience in the challenges that members face. Speakers motivate members to commit to their goals, and speakers often use humor, faith, emotions, and charm to convey their messages.

Online AA Meetings

While face-to-face interaction has traditionally been the core of AA groups, not all members can meet in person. Life and schedule conflicts may prohibit a member from attending meetings, and many groups offer online or hybrid models for members. In an online setting, members can conduct meetings, but can also simultaneously access resources through an app or online directory as needed. In addition, many minority groups, such as non-English speakers or members of the LGBTQ+ community may feel more comfortable with their peers, and an online option allows minority members to meet virtually across the state without feeling alienated or stigmatized. As with all online meetings, members should exercise caution when giving out personal information and take steps to remain safe at all times.

Resources for Alcohol Addiction in West Virginia

Whether you’re trying AA out for the first time, or recovering from a relapse, clients have many resources available to help them remain sober. AA resources generally have little to no cost, and millions of members and alumni continue to benefit from these services. Resources include:

ODCP

The West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy has formed many programs to assist specialized groups impacted by alcohol use disorder. Programs include education and awareness for justice-involved clients, interventions for minors, college students, and vulnerable groups, law enforcement assistance and harm reduction approaches, including naloxone training and distribution.

West Virginia Prevention Solutions

This coalition focuses on child and family safety. The organization funds local substance use and alcohol consumption programs, education and advocacy for parents and youths, and networks with schools and local communities. The center also offers harm reduction strategies and training to prevent suicides and promote general wellness.

Sources

1. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/states/excessive-alcohol-use-united-states.html#WV
2. https://wvde.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018WVYouthRiskBehavior_SchoolHealthProfile_FactSheets_MiddleSchool.pdf
3. https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/pdf/impaired-driving-new/CDC-impaired-driving-fact-sheet-WestVirginia.pdf
4. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/states/excessive-alcohol-use-united-states.html#WV
5. https://hdpulse.nimhd.nih.gov/data-portal/quick-profile/54/knowledge
6. https://drugabusestatistics.org/cost-of-rehab/