Group Financial Structure and Area Oversight

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In Addicts Anonymous, registered groups are not just informal gatherings—they are recognized entities that operate under the spiritual and financial structure of their Area Service Group.

• Each Group is an extension of its Area, and any group finances (including bank accounts or group treasuries) must be approved by World Services or the Area Service Group.

• All official group accounts are established under the Area’s tax ID to ensure legal compliance, financial transparency, and protection of the fellowship’s nonprofit status.

• The Area Service Manual and World Services Manual provide detailed instructions on how these financial structures must be maintained.

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This structure ensures:

• Unity and accountability across groups and regions.

• Financial integrity in line with our Seventh Tradition.

• Legal protection for members and leadership.

• Centralized reporting and eligibility for delegate participation.

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We recognize that historically, new meetings have sometimes emerged from personal conflict or ideological splits—what some have called “a coffee pot and a resentment.” While passion and initiative still matter, starting a group today is more involved. It requires:

• Registration through either World Services or an Area Service Committee. (Again, consult the ASM or WSM for who to register with.)

• Adherence to program literature and structure.

• Approval and sponsorship by the Area.

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This isn’t to discourage new groups—but to strengthen them. With proper structure comes stability. With unity comes longevity. This is how we ensure the message stays intact and the fellowship stays strong.

 

 

 

Addicts Anonymous: Meeting Format Ideas

Foundational Guidelines:

• Each meeting must begin with the Addicts Anonymous Preamble.

• Only Trustee-approved literature may be used.

• Meetings are hosted by registered Groups. Meetings themselves are not autonomous; they are governed by the Group, which is an entity recognized under Area Service Committee.

• Groups may hold one meeting a month or several per day.

• Groups must register through either World Services or Area Service Committee to be officially recognized and listed in directory.

• Themes and formats must remain aligned with program values.

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Standard Format Types

1. Speaker Meeting A member shares their experience, strength, and hope. Can be followed by open sharing. These meetings highlight transformation through personal testimony.

2. Discussion Meeting A topic is selected from approved literature. Members are invited to share reflections. May be guided or open-format.

3. Step Study A meeting focused on one of the 12 Steps. Can rotate weekly or monthly. Offers structured engagement with recovery principles.

4. Tradition Study Reviews one of the 12 Traditions per session. Encourages understanding of unity, group conscience, and foundational principles.

5. Concept Study Focuses on one of the 12 Concepts for World Service. Appropriate for members in service roles or those seeking deeper understanding of the fellowship’s structure.

6. Chip and Birthday Meeting Chips are offered for time milestones (24 hours, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, etc.).

   • Members are encouraged to acknowledge their clean/sober date during regular meetings.

   • A monthly birthday celebration is held on the last scheduled meeting of the month.

7. Book Study The group reads and discusses approved Addicts Anonymous literature or program-approved foundational texts. Reading can be followed by open sharing.

8. Meditation Meeting The meeting is focused on meditation.

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Themed Meeting Ideas

Themed meetings may focus on intersections of behavior, identity, or underlying emotional struggles. These formats help members feel seen and understood in their particular experience:

1. Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll Explores the intersections of creative identity, rebellion, and impulse.

2. Food Only Dedicated to members experiencing disordered eating, bingeing, restriction, or body-based control mechanisms.

3. Food and Sex Focuses on shame, secrecy, body dysmorphia, and compulsive soothing behaviors.

4. Gaming and Drugs Addresses obsessive online activity, escapism, and cross-addiction patterns.

5. Gaming, Gambling, and Drugs Looks at risk, reward, thrill-seeking, and dopamine-driven behavior.

6. Digital Addiction A meeting to explore overuse of phones, social media, crypto-trading, shopping, or comparison-based compulsions.

7. Clean but Not Free For those with long-term abstinence who still suffer emotionally or behaviorally.

8. Spiritual Malady Roundtable Focused on the inner void that drives addiction, regardless of substance. Suitable for spiritually curious or agnostic members.

9. LGBTQIA+ Recovery Space for healing and recovery in the context of identity, alienation, and community building.

10. Grief, Loss, and Recovery For those who struggle with loss, trauma, or ongoing emotional pain intertwined with addiction.

 

 

Meeting Practices and Variations

• Popcorn Format: Open sharing without designated order.

• Topic Discussion: Someone picks a topic and shares go around the room.

• Timed Sharing: 3–5 minute shares with a designated timekeeper.

• Tag Format: The speaker selects the next person to share.

• Silent Opening: One minute of silence or centering before the meeting begins.