Looking for AA people for input. I’ve been having a bit of a hard time in a few meetings in my small town area. My view is certain meetings have gone from the tradition of AA to therapy sessions. There has been a lot of cross talk, religious rants, side conversations ect. I’ve read in AA literature that it is the chairperson “responsibility “ to keep the meeting on track to whatever the meetings is going to be as read in the beginning format. I never have seen a group conscience in a meeting here but I took one on Monday.. there was a member that didn’t introduce themselves, stated verbally that they were going to comment directly to the previous share and went straight to talking about the broken dui justice system. I was definitely struggling that night but in the same time “I feel” it was inappropriate and not program related. Well the chair was not happy and verbally completely went off directly to me the next night on me at a meeting. I have some time In but was really wondering if any else has experienced this? Am I just straight up out of line? Or should I just write off these particular meetings and drive out of town to more solid recovery? Im kinda lost, thanks in advance
I used to go to meetings and have attempted to go to different ones throughout the years to see if that righteous brothers loving feeling was there.. yet much like the song that feeling was gone gone gone. Not because the meetings had changed , but more so they were the same people and the same format and sometimes chaos . What had changed was me. I had outgrown it.. it isn't a bad thing. I still use the tools I learned in AA to this day but the day and day out of meetings and big books and sometimes good coffee no longer worked.. for me at least. I needed to keep growing and not stay stagnant in my recovery this is a life long journey..much like with different phases of healing and life itself is about change and not keep doing the same behaviors. I still strive to get out of my comfort zone no matter how scary it can be.. to keep improving and healing with old and more importantly new tools of growth and prosperity. Otherwise to quote Jesse Pinkman from breaking bad.. oh yeah this whole thing is about acceptance. What do a moral inventory and accept and move on.. sometimes moving on means finding the scary new parts down the road.
You won’t believe this but this is exactly what I have been feeling. Probably my Hp, I have felt that I may have outgrown the program. There is one a week I’ll always go to. You have no idea how much you have helped me today
You find what works best for you. It your journey. I just wrote some words down about mine. I am not a leader or guide or some divine intervention. Please follow your own path and find meetings that may work or find a healing that will. You know you best. I am just some dude typing on a screen .
From my experience cross talk has usually been moderated by the the chair. Sometimes the chair just stinks. I've been to some meetings where the chair was just a straight a-hole, probably had no business leading an AA meeting. At the same time I've been to meetings with wonderful leads, resulting in a very productive and enjoyable experience.
Sober people are still humans. They aren't immune from being a$$holes. Don't even worry about it, but do your best to find other meetings. I know that is kinda tough in a small town.
It's common for people to go off on side rants, it's just part of people being people.
You sound like you're sticking to the guidelines of AA. Don't give up. Stick to the principles as written directly in AA sanctioned literature. You sound like a future chairperson. Please don't join the "debating" society. Please don't forget that anger is the "luxury" only of quote unquote "normal people" we don't have that luxury.. we're alcoholic
Thank you 
You've got a tough road but you're making good choices!
Wow, that’s really sad and yes go to other meetings Definitely don’t show up for that ever again. Unfortunately people in general don’t like to follow direction. I sometimes drive an hour out town just to hit other meeting good luck don’t get discouraged. Hang in there, sending good vibes 
I can share my experience with this and how I had to change my own perception of meetings recently. Tradition one is where I started. I used the grapevine workshop questions to look at ME. I realized that it's not about how other people conduct themselves and that if I'm disturbed, there's something wrong in me. That turned out to be self-righteousness and pride. I had began lacking humility, understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. Instead of finding fault in others and taking their inventories, I asked myself what can I add to the meeting? When I start there, I can then follow up with anything outside of the guidelines outside after the meeting with that member. This is the house of the sick and broken. The disease manifests and clears the rooms out sometimes. What can I do to be a healing, integral member of AA and recovery, today? Am I being divisive? Do I participate in gossip or become abrasive to those who I perceive to have wronged me? These are the questions that keep me focused on me. When I do that, I am able to keep that channel of power open and connected to God as I understand Him. That allows me to be the example of the big book for newcomers and those that don't have a lot of peace and serenity and are dealing with their defects that day. My humble opinion and experience with this is all I have. Do with it what you will. I pray for your well-being and spirituality
Every AA meeting has its own dynamics, that’s for sure. Some have way more structure than others, depending on the group. Since you live in a small town where in person meetings are limited and probably a bit “clicky,” try Zoom AA meetings. You can find an AA meeting anywhere in the world at any given time. Maybe start with a City that is nearest to your town. There is an AA meeting app. with all of the meetings available in surrounding areas. Takes a little research, but it will help with finding other meetings that may be a better fit for where you are in your recovery..
If the time works for you, there is a meeting, my home group, called Bring Your Own Donuts, Zoom ID: 7504972337. It’s based out of Albuquerque, NM. 9:00 a.m. MT, everyday meeting.
Brian, i traveled and still travel 10 to 20 miles each way to find quality meetings ….my life and my everything depends on it…Keith Kayle L.D. 2/5/04
Maybe try to go outside of your area? Certain meetings take on the personality of certain members. I always try to remember that I'm there for myself. It took some effort, but I stopped caring about what others say. Again, it takes practice. Also, there are countless meetings on Zoom.
Check out intherooms.com for meetings that stick to traditions and principles. That website hosts hundreds of meetings a week and is a great way to meet new people and make recovery friends
If your concern is not being addressed by the chair you have no choice but to move on OR chair yourself???
I would do some zoom meetings in Austin, TX. Austin has a huge recovery population. There’s a 9:15 called We are not Saints that’s small and the chairs are really good. They keep the cross talk down and if you need extra help the chair will talk to you one on one plus other attendees will stay online too after the meeting. Western Trails in Austin usually has pretty good zoom meetings too. Not sure if I misunderstood but both of these meetings ask others to read at the beginning and end of the meetings. Good luck!!