What is a Closed AA Meeting?

  Closed meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous are strictly for people who have a desire to stop drinking.  These "closed" meetings, just like open meetings, will be clearly marked in the local meeting list.  Other than only being open only to members with a desire to stop drinking, there aren't many big differences between open and closed meetings.  In closed meetings, however, you will generally find more "step" meetings in which the 12 steps of AA are discussed, or traditions meetings where the 12 traditions of AA are discussed.  Open meetings tend to be more speaker meetings where a member of Alcoholics Anonymous shares their story (experience, strength, and hope), so that the newcomer may get a better idea of what the program can do.  

  Just remember, according to the Third Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous, the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.  If you have that, then you are more than welcome in a closed meeting of AA.