Key Takeaways
- Hundreds of AA and NA meetings are held weekly throughout Riverside County in cities from Corona to Palm Springs.
- Meetings are free to attend and open to anyone with a desire to stop drinking or using drugs.
- Meeting formats include open, closed, speaker, discussion, Big Book study, and step study meetings.
- Regular meeting attendance, combined with professional treatment, significantly improves long-term recovery outcomes.
- Online and virtual meetings provide additional options for individuals who cannot attend in-person gatherings.
The Role of 12-Step Meetings in Recovery
Alcoholics Anonymous, founded in 1935, and Narcotics Anonymous, established in 1953, are the most widely available peer support programs for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Both organizations operate on the principle that individuals with shared experience can help one another achieve and maintain sobriety through mutual support, accountability, and the practice of a set of guiding principles known as the Twelve Steps.
In Riverside County, hundreds of AA and NA meetings are held every week in churches, community centers, hospitals, recovery clubhouses, and other venues across the county. From the western cities of Corona, Norco, and Riverside to the desert communities of Palm Springs and Indio, meetings are available at various times throughout the day and evening, making it possible for individuals with any schedule to find a meeting that works for them.
While 12-step programs are not clinical treatment and should not be viewed as a replacement for professional care, research consistently demonstrates that regular meeting attendance, particularly when combined with formal treatment, significantly improves long-term recovery outcomes. The sense of community, the structure of a recovery program, and the guidance of a sponsor provide ongoing support that extends well beyond the time-limited nature of formal treatment.
Types of Meetings Available
Understanding the different types of meetings helps newcomers find gatherings that match their comfort level and recovery needs. The variety of meeting formats ensures that there is something for everyone, regardless of background, personality, or stage of recovery.
Open vs. Closed Meetings
Open meetings welcome anyone interested in learning about AA or NA, including friends, family members, students, and professionals. These meetings are a good starting point for individuals who are curious about 12-step programs but not yet certain whether they belong. Closed meetings are restricted to individuals who identify as having a desire to stop drinking or using drugs, providing a more intimate setting for sharing personal experiences.
Both meeting types maintain strict confidentiality, meaning that what is shared in a meeting stays in the meeting. This principle of anonymity is foundational to the 12-step tradition and creates a safe space for honest self-reflection and vulnerable sharing.
Meeting Formats
Speaker meetings feature one or two individuals sharing their personal stories of addiction and recovery, typically for 20 to 40 minutes. Discussion meetings open with a topic or reading and then invite group members to share their experiences and perspectives. Big Book study and step study meetings work through the foundational texts and principles of the program in a structured, educational format.
Specialty meetings cater to specific populations, including men's and women's meetings, young people's meetings, LGBTQ-affirming meetings, and Spanish-language meetings. Riverside County's diverse population supports a wide range of specialty meetings that help individuals connect with peers who share similar life experiences.
- Speaker meetings: One or two members share their recovery stories
- Discussion meetings: Open sharing on a selected topic
- Big Book study: Group reading and discussion of AA's foundational text
- Step study: Focused exploration of the Twelve Steps
- Newcomer meetings: Designed specifically for those new to recovery
- Specialty meetings: Gender-specific, young people, LGBTQ, Spanish-language
Finding Meetings in Riverside County
Locating AA and NA meetings in Riverside County is straightforward using several online and phone-based resources. The Inland Empire Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous maintains a searchable online meeting directory that covers all of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The directory allows you to search by city, day, time, and meeting type, making it easy to find meetings near your home or workplace.
The AA Meeting Guide app, available free for iOS and Android, uses your location to display nearby meetings and provides directions, meeting format details, and contact information for each group. Narcotics Anonymous maintains a similar online meeting finder at na.org that covers meetings throughout the county.
If you prefer to speak with someone directly, the Inland Empire Central Office phone line is staffed by volunteers who can help you find meetings, answer questions about the program, and provide encouragement if you are attending for the first time. Many local meetings also have designated greeters who welcome newcomers and help them feel comfortable.
If attending your first meeting feels intimidating, consider bringing a sober friend or family member to an open meeting. Many people also find it helpful to arrive a few minutes early and introduce themselves to one or two people before the meeting starts.
Online and Virtual Meeting Options
The expansion of online meetings that began during the COVID-19 pandemic has permanently transformed the recovery landscape. Virtual meetings via Zoom and other platforms are now a standard offering alongside in-person gatherings, providing options for individuals who face transportation barriers, health concerns, work schedule conflicts, or simply prefer the accessibility of online participation.
Online meetings follow the same formats as in-person meetings, with speakers, discussions, and study groups available at virtually every hour of the day and night. This around-the-clock availability is particularly valuable during late-night hours when in-person meetings are scarce and the risk of relapse may be higher.
While online meetings provide valuable support, most recovery professionals recommend attending in-person meetings when possible. The face-to-face connections, before-and-after-meeting fellowship, and physical presence of a supportive community offer benefits that are difficult to replicate in a virtual setting. A balanced approach that incorporates both in-person and online meetings provides maximum flexibility and support.
Integrating 12-Step Programs with Professional Treatment
The most effective recovery approach for many individuals combines professional treatment with active 12-step participation. Treatment programs address the clinical dimensions of addiction through medical detox, therapy, and medication management, while 12-step programs provide the ongoing peer support, spiritual framework, and accountability structure that sustain recovery over the long term.
Trust SoCal in Fountain Valley integrates 12-step principles into its treatment programming and encourages clients to begin attending meetings during treatment. This early introduction helps clients become comfortable with the meeting format, begin building a recovery network, and identify a home group and potential sponsor before they complete their formal treatment program.
Riverside County residents who complete treatment at Trust SoCal can seamlessly transition into the robust local meeting network, attending meetings in their home communities while maintaining connections with their treatment-based recovery support. For more information about Trust SoCal's programs and how they integrate with community-based recovery support, call (949) 280-8360.
Getting Started with Your First Meeting
Attending your first AA or NA meeting is a significant step that takes courage. It is completely normal to feel nervous, uncertain, or skeptical. Know that you will be welcomed warmly and that there is no obligation to speak if you prefer to simply listen. Many people who attend their first meeting are surprised by how relatable the stories they hear are and how quickly they feel a sense of belonging.
You do not need to be sober to attend a meeting, and you do not need to have hit any particular "rock bottom." The only requirement for membership in AA or NA is a desire to stop drinking or using drugs. There are no dues, fees, sign-up forms, or commitments required. You simply show up, sit down, and listen. That is enough for the first day.
I came to my first meeting terrified and left feeling something I hadn't felt in years: hope. You don't have to figure it all out on day one. You just have to show up.
— AA member, Riverside County
Amy Pride, MFTT
Marriage & Family Therapy Trainee
