Note: In order to be as helpful and inclusive as possible, some of these are repetitive as in “Turning it Over” and “Step Three,” which basically is turning it over, or in “Economic Insecurity” and “Money,” which encompasses economic insecurity. Sometimes saying the same thing in a different way helps me see it differently. I’ve also bolded the topics that are, to my knowledge, slogans.
- Acceptance
- Accepting My Alcoholism
- Act As If
- Action
- Addictive Personality
- Adjusting to a Sober Life
- Adversity
- Agnostics (We Agnostics)
- Amends Beyond “I’m Sorry”
- Amends, Making Hard Amends
- Anger
- Anniversaries
- Anonymity
- Asking for Help
- Attitude
- Attraction not Promotion
- Balance
- Being Alone
- Being Considerate of Others (in and out of AA)
- Being Useful
- Big Book (Using the Big Book)
- Boredom with the Program
- (The) Bottom is Where You Stop Digging (you hit bottom when you stop digging)
- Breaking My Anonymity
- Bring the Body and the Mind Will Follow
- But For the Grace of God
- Carry This Message
- Celebrations in Sobriety
- Change
- Changing Routines, Changing People, Places and Things (to avoid drinking)
- Character Defects
- Choice
- Clarity of Thought
- Codependence
- Compassion
- Complacency
- Completely Giving Myself to This Simple Program
- Contempt Prior to Investigation
- Courage
- Courage to Change the Things I Can (Serenity Prayer)
- Cravings
- Cunning, Baffling, Powerful
- Decision Making
- Dealing with Difficult People
- Denial
- Dependence
- Detaching, Detaching with Love
- Disappointment
- Discipline
- Disease Concept
- Do the Next Right Thing
- (The) Doctor’s Opinion (from the Big Book)
- Don’t Drink and Go To Meetings
- Don’t Quit Before the Miracle
- Drinking Occasions
- (A) Drug is a Drug
- Drugs (Problems Other Than Alcohol)
- Drunk Who Brought You In Will Take You Out
- Dry Drunks
- Easy Does It
- Economic Insecurity
- Ego (ego deflation from Step 5, ego puncturing from Step 7)
- Eleventh Step Prayer (Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi)
- Emotional Balance (from Step 10)
- Emotional Hangover (from Step 10)
- Emotional Sobriety (Emotions)
- Enjoying Life (Having Fun Sober)
- (The) Exact Nature of our Wrongs
- Expect a Miracle
- Expectations (Unreasonable Expectation, Pre-Planned Resentments)
- Experience (Sharing Our Experience)
- Experience, Strength and Hope
- Faith
- Fake It Till You Make It
- (The) Family Afterwards
- Fear
- Fear of Failure/Fear of Success
- Feelings and Emotions
- Feeling Different
- Fellowship
- First Drink Gets You Drunk
- First Things First
- First Thought Wrong
- Fixing Me, Not You
- Forgiveness
- Forgiving Others
- Forgiving Ourselves
- Foundation
- Fourth Dimension (from page 25 in The Big Book)
- Freedom
- Freedom from Bondage
- Friendship
- Fun
- Gift of Desperation
- Gifts of the Program
- God as I Understand Him
- Gossip
- Gratitude
- Greed, Gluttony, Having Enough
- Grief and Mourning
- Group Membership (belonging to a group, having a “home” group)
- Growth
- Growth through Pain
- Guilt
- Habits of Sobriety
- Handling Failure
- Handling Success
- Happiness
- Happy, Joyous and Free
- Higher Power
- Hitting Bottom
- Holidays
- Honesty (Rigorous Honesty)
- Hope
- How do you maintain your spiritual condition?
- How do you work the steps?
- How easy does it (working the program, staying sober) get?
- Has has your concept of a higher power changed in sobriety?
- How Have You Changed?
- How Important Is It?
- How it Works (Twelve Step Recovery)
- How were you introduced to AA?
- Humility
- Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired (HALT)
- I Am Responsible
- Identify, Don’t Compare
- If God is in charge, why do we sweat the small stuff?
- If it’s not practical, it’s not spiritual
- If nothing changes, nothing changes
- Improving the Quality of My Sobriety
- Insanity
- Insidious (Patiently Waiting for a Chance to Ensnare)
- Instincts
- Integrity
- Inventory (Taking My Own)
- Inventory (Taking That of Others)
- Isolating
- It Is What It Is
- Jealousy
- Joy, The Joy of Living
- Keep Coming Back
- Keep it Simple
- Keeping it Green
- Let Go and Let God
- Letting Go (of Outcomes)
- Letting Go (of the Past)
- Letting Go (of People, Places and Things)
- Life on Life’s Terms
- Literature as a Tool (Using the Big Book, Twelve and Twelve, meditations, etc)
- Live and Let Live
- Living in the Real World
- Living in the Moment, Living in the Present, Living in the Now
- Living with Myself in Sobriety
- Lonliness
- Loss
- Love
- Maintaining Sobriety
- Meditation
- Meeting Makers Make It
- Meetings
- Mental Blank (page 42 of the Big Book)
- Mental, Spiritual and Physical Disease
- Mental Illness (Problems Other Than Alcohol)
- Moderation
- Money
- More will be Revealed
- Motives
- No Pain, No Gain
- Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes
- One Day at a Time
- Online meetings
- Organized Religion
- Other Addictions
- Pain
- Pass it On
- Patience
- Pause when Agitated (Big Book page 87)
- People Pleasing
- Perceptions vs. Reality
- Perseverance
- Persistence
- Physical Illness (Problems Other Than Alcohol)
- Powerlessness
- Practicing These Principles in All Our Affairs
- Prayer
- Preamble (The AA Preamble)
- Pride
- Pride in Reverse
- Primary Purpose/Singleness of Purpose
- Principles Before Personalities
- Priorities
- Projection (Thinking About Outcomes that are in the Future, Good and Bad)
- Progress, Not Perfection
- Progression
- Promises
- Rationalization, minimizing and justifying, self-justification
- Recovered or Recovering?
- Recovery (Getting Better)
- Regret (We Will Not Regret the Past, Promises)
- Relapse
- Relationships
- Relaxing, Relaxation
- Remember What You Would Have Settled For
- Remembering Your Last Drunk
- Remorse
- Resentment/What is a Resentment?
- Resolutions
- Responsibility
- Restless, Irritable and Discontent (RID)
- Restraint of Tongue and Pen
- Rituals of Sobriety
- Road Rage
- Rule #62 (from Tradition Four, page 149 12&12)
- Sanity
- Secrets (You’re Only as Sick as Your Secrets or Your Secrets will get You Drunk)
- Self Acceptance
- Self-Centeredness
- Self Esteem
- Self Pity
- Self Seeking
- Self-Will
- Selfishness
- Serenity
- Serenity Prayer
- Serenity Prayer long form
- Service
- Sex
- Sharing (talking or telling my story) at Meetings
- Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired
- Slips
- Slogans
- Sobriety Dates
- Spiritual Awakening
- Spiritual Axiom (from Step Ten, page 90, 12 and 12)
- Spiritual Malady (from page 64 of the Big Book)
- Spiritual Part of the Program
- Spirituality
- Sponsorship
- Starting the Day Over
- Staying Away from the First Drink
- Staying in the Now
- Step One
- Step Two
- Step Three
- Step Four
- Step Five
- Step Six
- Step Seven
- Step Eight
- Step Nine
- Step Ten
- Step Eleven
- Step Twelve
- Stick with the Winners
- Stinking Thinking
- Strength (Sharing Our Strength, What is Your Strength?)
- Stress (Coping with Stress)
- Suggestions (Taking the Suggestions)
- Surrender
- Taking Risks
- Taking Things for Granted (before and after sobriety)
- Telling on Yourself
- “Terminal” Uniqueness – feeling unique can kill me
- Think it Through (think the drink through to the end)
- Think, Think, Think
- This Too Shall Pass
- Time (Time Takes Time)
- To Thine Own Self Be True
- Tolerance
- Too Busy for Meetings?
- Tools of the Program
- Tradition One
- Tradition Two
- Tradition Three
- Tradition Four
- Tradition Five
- Tradition Six
- Tradition Seven
- Tradition Eight
- Tradition Nine
- Tradition Ten
- Tradition Eleven
- Tradition Twelve
- Triggers
- Trust
- Trust God, Clean House, Help Others
- Turning it Over
- Turning Point (we stood at the turning point)
- Twelfth Step Calls (going to see someone who is asking for help and/or drinking)
- Twenty-four Hours a Day (one hour, one minute at a time)
- Unfinished Amends
- Unmanageability
- Using the Program Instead of Using Alcohol
- Using the Telephone
- Utilize Don’t Analyze
- Wait to Worry
- We are not a glum lot (from page 132 of the Big Book)
- We of the Program
- What Convinced You That You Had a Problem?
- What is AA?
- What do You do to Stay Sober?
- What do you love about AA?
- What have you gained from the program?
- What outside forces keep you from drinking?
- What Step are you on?
- When others are drinking (and potentially dangerous, what do you do?)
- Who supported you to get sober? To stay sober?
- Why Are You Here?
- Why did you get sober?
- Will power
- Willing to go to Any Lengths
- Willingness
- Wisdom to Know the Difference (Serenity Prayer)
- Wreckage of the Past
- Yets
- You may be the only Big Book a new person sees.
- Your last drunk.
- Zoom (virtual) meetings.
Don't Drink and Don't Die 
Very useful. Thanks for taking the time. I’m sure compiling this list was quite an experience. Buona 24
I know that AA promotes honesty, openness, and, willingness. I would appreciate any logical feedback on something I have read. . .
Michelle, please find your answer here: https://lydiacharlotte.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/are-treatment-centers-responsible-for-their-failures/
THANKS…nice share.
Awesome! Just what I needed. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. diann p
This is a great example of the 12th step! Thank you for helping others help others. Thank you.
thanks for the great topics
KEEPING IT GREEN
Added. Thank you!
I love yall
What does this mean ?
Thanks for your help. I am putting together a meeting for women based on our common solution. These idease will be useful!
Thanks for the topic list. I started a womem’s group several months ago. What we do is everyone puts a topic in the basket, the chair picks the topic from the basket & we all share on it. This list will keep us going for a while.
THANKS SO MUCH-THE LENTH OF SILENCE AT OUR MEETINGS WILL BE LESS NOW WHEN THE CHAIRPERSON ASKS FOR A TOPIC-WE’LL HAVE A DIFFERENT TOPIC ALMOST FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR-GRATEFUL-STEVE S. CORTLAND N.Y.
I thought I would look through the internet to see if I could find a topic for my meeting tonight.As was said ,sometimes that second moment of silence can be a killer lol.Thanks alot for compiling these!I”ll look like a very thoughtfull drunk tonight. Please accept my appreciation for sitting down and putting these topics together.
Thanks again,Bernie
Thank You! I have been chairing a discussion meeting for over 2 years now and am always trying to think of “different” topics. This list had several different ideas.
A.A has been wonderful to me and i have lots of friends i have one question can the need for approval be a topic for a meeting that is one of my many character defects i have only been in a year dec 6 2008 is my sobriety date please let me know thank you ps going to meetings is a great stress reliever
People pleasing
Added, thanks!
These topics are wonderful! In May, I chaired my home group for my 24th anniversary, and I was so glad I had these!
I was told I was a people pleaser in my beginnings. I strive to make positive changes in my life today.
Now I have found their is no way to please everybody. Also I find when helping another alcoholic. I may be to tough on them. I came in in 92 and I was ready to listen and do what was asked of me to stay sober.
Welcome to the 2018 AA.
Wonderful comprehensive and thoughtful list. thank you for the hard work – seems in all you do. I am chairing a 7am this morning and was stumped. Now I have MANY I want to use. Thanks.
how about entering the world of the spirit
I would like to thank you;so much for the wonderful topics.Ihave a bad memory as a result of brain damage from alcohol.and allways forget a topic for my aa group closed discusion meeting thankyou i put them in my favorites file.one day at a time.
I have heard there is a list of topics from the first early AA meetings that focused on discussion rather than the steps. Does anyone know where to find it.thanks elizabeth
I’m speaking tonight at a beginner’s meeting…..what a useful tool…..thanks so much for sharing
My husband and I have recently moved out of the country and are hungry to start a topic discussion meeting similar to the one we left back home.
This list has helped immensly.
Thank you from Mexico.
Every word a special one to me on my journey in recovery thank u xx
Thank you so much for this list it is very helpful to me.
Thanks. very useful
Thanks for taking the time to compile these. Very useful
Huge hit tonight! Friday before the Holiday; chose the topic expectations = guaranteed resentments disappointment! Excellent meeting. Thanks for PASSING IT ON!! xo
Thank you for the topics. I am writtin’ them on popsicle sticks so we can have everyone grab one and talk on that topic or just the chair pick one and we can share on it.
You are awesome! Thanks so much.
How about :Listen To Your Instincts”?
Thanks! I added “instincts,” since I’m not sure we SHOULD listen to our instincts. But instincts are certainly talked about in the literature.
I agree, instincts are similar to intuition in that it does take some house cleaning to separate “old thought patterns” from a clearer connection with what we call our higher power. Thanks.
How about Trust Your Intincts ie: I trust my intincts when my intincts tell me to stay away from People Places and Things that may bring me to a drink!
Excellent list, indeed.
Thanks for this list, using it for a meeting I’m chairing at the moment and bookmarked for future use too.
Thanks. How about Dr. Bob’s prescription: “Trust God, Clean House, Help Others.”
Thanks so much for putting this together… one of my character defects is procrastination… I’m chairing a meeting in an hour and
am suppoed to bring a topic… haha! God bless you!
I thought I would look through the internet to see if I could find a topic for my meeting tonight.As was said ,sometimes that second moment of silence can be a killer lol.Thanks alot for compiling these!I”ll look like a very thoughtfull drunk tonight. Please accept my appreciation for sitting down and putting these topics together.
Thanks again,Bernie
+1
Where does the phrase “gift of desperation” appear in the big book?
As far as I can tell, it does not appear there.
You have got to be an alcoholic, no one else would have this many suggested topics. Isn’t there one that say’s “keep it simple” on here? Just Kidding, thank you this will be very helpful.
wounderfull list of topics, very usefull
this helped alot(: ❤
thank you so much for making this list. I totally panic when faced with leading a meeting and picking the topic. You’ve given me so many ideas.
My brother needs help he killing his self by drinking a lot. Our mom past in November 2011 and that the only way for him to deal with it but its killing him. He already have health issue .
I love my brother very much its killing me to see him like that Help.
Yvonne, I sent you an email that says: Hi Yvonne – you made a comment on my blog, but that’s really not the place for it. I know of nothing you can do to help your brother beyond going to Al anon. It takes time, you have to actually attend the meetings. But I believe that it will help, if you do it.
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/how-to-find-a-meeting
Good luck to you.
SEX, I have yet to see a discussion about sex. When I suggested sex, everyone in the group thanked me for it. Each one had a story. After the meeting they shook my hand.
Added, thank you!
Thank you so very much. This helps me to help others.
i’m curious about this. i’m a younger person who likes to drink (emphasis on likes)…i’m not someone who gets aggressive, violent, or any malevolent repercussions, maybe just acts stupid at the most part… I consider myself an alcoholic…i don’t harm anyone and am a respectful person no matter what my state is…however, the only thing people see is my harm to myself…that’s about it…i don’t offend people, don’t hurt people, don’t do anything like that; just my friends’ concerns…but i enjoy it…it’s my own choice and i like it…i’ve thought about the idea of why i indulge myself sometimes and to be the most honest sometimes, i think people suck…i think i’m an amazing person and, after meeting the tons of people i have, i don’t think anyone has the right to share my company with…maybe i’m too selfish…maybe i’m too sure of myself….i’m starting to find a dark side of myself and would like some advice…i think my kidneys are starting to hurt daily…i enjoy it though…i think there’s a sense of suicidal tendencies definitely involved that i actually enjoy…it’s on of the many conundrums i’m looking at…i don’t want jesus to save my life, i’m just looking for like-minded people…
peace
TSOD–
Thank you for your honesty. You made it green for me because I USED TO THINK LIKE YOU. God Speed. May you find him now.
I used to think this way too, “if im not hurting anyone else than what does it matter” was my actual thoughts about life. Today, being on the other end of things, I realize that watching someone you love harm their-self is like a literal hell, its an agonizing pain to endure. So in actuality, by harming yourself, you are hurting the ones you love regardless if you intend on doing so. I think it takes time and knowledge to recognize this, it took me 20 years to learn this lesson. When the tables get turned and the shoe is on the other foot is when you will truly understand. You are not a bad person for thinking the way you do, fact that you are here and asking questions, speaks volumes to your intentions to soul search and become the best version of yourself. I hope this helps and I hope that you figure things out. Wishing you the best on your journey!
wonderful topic list i am charing a closed meeting tonight came to the library to research a topic for a closed meeting so newcomers can understand the difference in open and closed meeting what do you suggest thank you sherry c.
I suggest that you tell them that closed meetings are for alcoholics and those who think they may have a drinking problem only, and that anyone can attend open meetings. Not much more to say about it than that!
this is a great list of topics and I thank you for taking the time to get them together as I am chairing a meeting for the next 3 months you have enough info for the next 3 years lol but I am very greatful thank you soooo much it is well appreciated
me and my wife opened up a 12 step club in vegas called the journey club las vegas.She wanted to start a popsicle stick meeting this was very helpful thanks.Dylan and Sandie
I know you put a lot of effort into this list, which I appreciate, as well as your enthusiasm. However, I would caution that some of these “topics” have no place in an AA meeting. Several are from the “treatment center” industry such as “Triggers”; Some are just old party-line stuff that has crept into the rooms and you will NOT find literature support for — and in fact will find in the literature the exact opposite- such as “Do The Next Right Thing” — like I know what that is! I need God for guidance, not my mind (where the problem centers). or “Keeping It Green” — the BB makes it plain that at certian times we will have no mental defense, that we are unable to recall the suffering and humiliation of even a week or month ago. If just remembering my last drunk worked, I would not need AA. And “What Brought You Here?” Really? Ummm …. drinking!! What did you do to stay sober today? Uggh – worst topic ever. Totally ego-feeding and sets up the illusion that I have anything to do with whether or not I drink. Alcoholics have lost the power of choice in drink. We never get that back. I’ve never understood why anyone gets stumped for a topic. Do you own a Big Book or Twelve & Twelve? Maybe there’s one or two lying around your meeting place? Open it, read from it. Bam. Guaranteed topic that is the accurate message of AA.
Thanks for your comment and your opinion. I disagree that some of these have no place in a meeting, and that we must rigidly stick to the books to be “accurate.” But thanks.
Sara I think you need to take a look at your ego and bring it down a motch! Because when you bring a meeting in a rehab some need to hear about them topics
I have a good one: “How to transmit something that I haven’t got?”
Thank you so much!!
I’m confused. You said that the Third Step was about turning it over. I don’t think that’s right. Isn’t it about making a decision?
Making a decision to what? Change my socks? No. It’s about making a decision to turn my will and my life over. I don’t think splitting hairs helps anything.
“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him…”
Wow this is awesome. I woke up this morning thinking I should google “good topics for an aa meeting” and maybe start building a random topic selector for my online home group website thing, and you’ll never guess who was the number one response 😉
I hope you don’t mind, and will cease and desist immediately if you do, but I’ve taken your list and made a random topic selector out of it for our chatroom thing.
got you in my feed reader now … looking forward to reading more 🙂
Hugs, EdB
That’s fine. Glad to be useful. And welcome!
Wow. An exhaustive study and a fine list. Thanks so much for all your efforts, and your continued efforts to update. I am a last minute speaker for tonight’s meeting, and this has given me the ideas I needed!
To the person that suggested SEX, this is just a suggestion, but a topic like that should be personal, like with a sponsor. Not in an open forum – especially at a Newcomers or Open Meeting. That can be very uncomfortable & should stay within the same sex. Like the old quote says, Take your mess to your Sponsor & the message to the meeting.
Go to a meeting as often as you can….and then some!!
Talk about whatever you have to WHATEVER you have to. This is a process, a journey, something you should never take for granted!
Its none of your business what someone else thinks.
This is life or death!!
You are right!
You are right!
Melissa,
After a decade of meetings on Step 4, most of which never mention the sex inventory, I respectfully disagree with the idea that sex relations can’t or don’t make for a good meeting topic. There is plenty of message to share on the sex inventory that is 100% solution. For instance reminding others that the formation of a safe and sound ideal is something between the individual and their HP. It’s also a great time to discuss motives in the things we do. Sometimes it is hard for new comers to grasp practicing the principals in all affairs. Here too is opportunity to show that checking of motives builds esteemable character traits. For example watching out for unintentionally throwing out intrigue in meetings or in fellowship. The nitty gritty details can be spared for a sponsor while the ideas may serve a purpose at the group level. I agree with you in so far as certain details being best left to a sponsor.
It gave me new ideas for topics.thx so much
i came looking for a list of topics because i dont trust my own mind sometimes to decide what to choose, and found that i waas in the right ballpark. and much more in your site. thanx for your 12th step internet.when i am most troubled it seems i am called to chair a topic meeting. i nod inwardly and say yes and then fret and go through mental gymnastics before just saying itll be okay its just a meeting and even when i screw up i can still be of service to someone.
You could consolidate this list to: passage(s) from the first 164 pages of the Big Book.
Great and useful.
A drug is a drug is a drug is an NA saying …………………………………..,,,( it kind of breaks the aa
4 th tradition of our primary purpose….. )
Thank you for this, but I disagree. The message that any drug is OK because it’s not alcohol is dangerous, in my opinion. People, especially newcomers, need to hear about abstinence. My opinion only.
“Do the next right thing” is not a slogan. It actually, somehow, came from pre-school jargan. Sequential order. It’s poor gramar and and actually has not been around that long. Maybe 6 years or so if that. I’m glad to notice (in the past couple months) that some people at meetings are making a point of saying ‘do the right thing’. I’ve asked the women I sponsor to please don’t say ‘do the next right thing’. We are always to try and do the right thing.
I also noticed there were many un-highlighted slogans which have been around since the beginning of AA.
In response to the comment above! It’s more than just your opinion, that drug use is not ok! Bill Wilson addresses this issue. Pick up the book “Launguage of the Heart”. There are many letters written by Bill over the years that are in this book.
Thank you for your comment. I know, however, that they were saying “do the next right thing” 35 years ago when I started AA. In my experience, AA is very regional in some ways. I also think of the meaning a little differently than you describe. I use it for when someone expresses something like “I don’t know what to do.” Do the NEXT right thing should narrow that down. Like, brush your teeth, pay your bill, scoop the cat litter box. The NEXT right thing is the next thing that needs to be done. I hope I expressed that well.
At my first chair last week for a beginners meeting that was my topic. Do the next right thing. I was taught/suggested to make my bed every morning. When you come home and your bed is made,it is positively welcoming. That simple task rippled throughout my life. Do the dishes. Hangup your clothes ( although sometimes not but you’re allowed ). The IRS sent me a letter that would have sent me into a PANIC. I did the next right thing. I called. It was not an issue. Resolved. Great that you shared this simple easy way of living. Cheers
I’ve taken on the commitment of running a beginners meeting. My first time taking on a chairperson commitment. My home group has shortened the chair length to 6 weeks. The list of topics here have been very very helpful for coming up with topics for experience strength and hope. Thank you for compiling this list.
Great list – thanks everso!
Two topics that I was happy to find discussion on:
1. The Spiritual Malady http://www.barefootsworld.net/aaspiritualmalady.html
2. The “curious mental blank spot” – http://www.e-aa.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=10555
“The Big Book tells us in no uncertain terms: “The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. …[N]either he {/she] nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His [/her] defense must come from a Higher Power.”
Every day is a good day if you pray!
Thank you for putting this list together.
I use this list all the time, and have for several years. Thanks fro keeping this updated!
What about, “Take what you need and leave the rest”
Thanks for this list. I am bringing a meeting to the salvation army tonight and got some great inspiration for a topic meeting! Thanks for creating this