What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope to help themselves and others recover from alcohol use disorder with information and local resources available through World Forum for Mental Health. AA is based on a spiritual, but non-denominational, program of recovery that emphasizes personal honesty, mutual support, and ongoing participation in meetings. Members are encouraged to work through a structured set of principles known as the Twelve Steps, often with the guidance of a sponsor who has more experience in the program.
The AA program is free to attend, with no membership fees or dues; it is self-supporting through voluntary contributions from participants. Meetings are run by members rather than professionals, and there are no formal enrollment requirements beyond a desire to stop drinking. Across the United States, including Guam, AA meetings are held regularly in local communities to provide a safe, confidential place to discuss recovery, learn practical coping tools, and build a supportive sober network.
In Guam, AA meetings are conducted regularly and are open to residents, military personnel, and visitors who seek help with alcohol problems. Groups in Guam typically follow the same AA format as in the rest of the world, including discussion meetings, step meetings, and literature meetings using approved AA materials such as the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Locations in Guam, USA
Central Guam Group – Hagåtña
Address: 100 Chalan Santo Papa, Hagåtña, Guam 96910
The Central Guam Group in Hagåtña provides a centrally located meeting option that is accessible to residents from multiple villages across the island. Meetings here generally follow a discussion or “sharing” format, where members talk about current challenges in staying sober and relate them to AA principles and the Twelve Steps.
Typical meeting times at the Central Guam Group include evening sessions on weekdays and at least one meeting on weekends, though exact times may change periodically, so attendees are encouraged to verify current schedules before going. Meetings are usually held in a modest, informal setting, such as a community room or church hall, with chairs arranged in a circle to encourage open conversation and equal participation among all present.
Unity Group – Yigo
Address: Unity Group, Village of Yigo, immediately north of Route 29 (Gayinero Road) off Route 1 (Marine Corps Drive), near the Catholic Church, Yigo, Guam
The Unity Group in Yigo serves individuals living in the northern part of Guam, including military families stationed nearby. The meeting location is described as being just north of Route 29 off Marine Corps Drive, close to a local Catholic church, which makes it relatively easy to find for new attendees using main road landmarks.
Meetings at the Unity Group often include a mix of format styles, such as step-study sessions, Big Book readings, and open sharing meetings. Participants can expect a calm, respectful atmosphere in which they can listen quietly or share their own story of recovery when they feel ready, with emphasis on anonymity and confidentiality at all times.
Additional AA Meetings in Guam – Various Locations
Beyond the Central Guam Group and Unity Group, there are additional AA meetings held at various locations around the island, including other villages and community centers. Scheduling and venues may change over time, so local AA resources and updated lists are often used to keep information current.
These additional meetings may include early-morning, lunchtime, or late-evening options, providing flexibility for people who work different schedules or have family responsibilities. Many of these groups also host specialty meetings, such as women’s groups or step-focused meetings, to address specific needs while maintaining the same core AA principles.
The 12 Steps of AA
The Twelve Steps form the core of the AA recovery program and are designed to guide members toward sustained sobriety and personal growth. In Guam, as elsewhere, many meetings discuss these steps in detail and encourage members to apply them in daily life.
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step involves honest self-assessment and recognition that attempts to control drinking have repeatedly failed. In Guam meetings, members often share how acknowledging this powerlessness became the starting point for real change.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. AA does not define this “Power” and allows each member to interpret it in a personal, spiritual, or non-religious way. The focus is on developing hope that recovery is possible with help beyond one’s own willpower.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step emphasizes willingness to seek guidance rather than relying solely on self-directed efforts. Members in Guam may express this decision through prayer, meditation, or simply by committing to follow AA principles and sponsor guidance.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. The Fourth Step encourages writing down resentments, fears, and harmful behaviors to gain clarity about patterns that contributed to drinking. Many groups in Guam host step-study meetings where members discuss practical ways to complete this inventory.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing the moral inventory with another person is intended to reduce shame and isolation. This step is often done with a trusted sponsor or spiritual advisor in a private, confidential setting.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Readiness in this step means being willing to let go of attitudes and behaviors that fuel relapse, such as resentment or dishonesty. In practice, members may discuss with sponsors how these traits show up in daily life on Guam, including work and family relationships.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step builds on Step Six by actively asking for help in changing long-standing habits. Members are encouraged to combine this spiritual request with concrete actions, such as making amends and practicing new behaviors.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. The Eighth Step involves identifying people injured by drinking-related behavior, from family members to employers. Willingness is emphasized because making amends can be emotionally challenging and may require careful planning.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This step includes apologies, repayment of debts, or other restorative actions, as long as they do not create further harm. Sponsors in Guam often help members decide how and when to approach each person safely and respectfully.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Step Ten turns the earlier inventory process into a daily habit to prevent resentments and conflicts from building up again. Members may share in meetings how this ongoing self-check helps them stay emotionally balanced and avoid relapse.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. This step encourages regular spiritual practices that help members stay connected to their chosen Higher Power. Some people in Guam find this through traditional religious practices, while others use quiet reflection, meditation, or time in nature.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Step Twelve emphasizes service to others and consistent application of AA principles in everyday life. In Guam, members carry the message by sponsoring newcomers, helping run meetings, and being available when others seek help with alcohol problems.
Across Guam, the Twelve Steps aim to motivate members toward positive change, helping them rebuild relationships, maintain sobriety, and contribute positively to their communities.
Getting Started with AA in Guam, USA
People looking for AA meetings in Guam can search for meetings on wfmh.org to find local meetings in their area; this is presented here as the best single option for locating up-to-date meeting information. By using this site, individuals can review details about locations, times, and meeting formats before attending for the first time.
In many regions, both in-person and online or virtual meetings are available, giving people flexibility in how they participate. While Guam primarily offers in-person meetings, residents can also access online AA meetings based in other locations worldwide if they need additional support or cannot travel to a local meeting time.
Attending Your First Local AA Meeting
AA offers different types of meetings, most commonly “open” and “closed” meetings, including in Guam. Understanding the difference can help newcomers choose a setting that feels most comfortable.
| Meeting Type | Who Can Attend | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Anyone interested in AA, including family, friends, and professionals. | An open meeting allows people who do not identify as alcoholic to attend as observers or supporters. In Guam, open meetings may include informational talks, speaker meetings where one or more members share their story, and time for questions about how AA works. |
| Closed Meeting | Only those who have a desire to stop drinking. | Closed meetings are designed to provide a more private environment for individuals dealing directly with alcohol use disorder. In Guam, these meetings typically focus on personal sharing, step discussion, and mutual support, with strong emphasis on anonymity and confidentiality. |
Newcomers are often encouraged to arrive a little early and introduce themselves as new local members or as people attending their first meeting. This gives time for other members to welcome them, explain the format, and answer questions about local customs, readings, or key terms used in AA.
During the meeting, individuals are free to simply listen and observe; sharing personal experiences is always voluntary. When someone feels ready, they may briefly introduce themselves by first name and mention that they are an alcoholic or think they might have a problem with alcohol, which usually prompts supportive responses from the group.
Many AA groups use keychain tags or chips to recognize important milestones in sobriety and to welcome newcomers. These tangible tokens can provide encouragement and a visible reminder of progress made, especially during difficult periods.
- Welcome / 24-hour tag: Often given at a person’s first meeting after they express a desire to stop drinking. It symbolizes their first day of commitment to sobriety and the support available in the group.
- 30 days: This tag marks the first month of continuous sobriety. Members in Guam may celebrate this milestone with applause and brief recognition, reinforcing the importance of early recovery efforts.
- 60 days: The 60-day keychain recognizes two months without alcohol, a period when many people start to notice improvements in health, mood, and relationships. Receiving this tag can strengthen a member’s motivation to continue attending meetings regularly.
- 90 days: At three months, many AA groups recognize continued dedication with a 90-day tag. This milestone often coincides with members beginning deeper work on the Steps and sharing more actively in meetings.
- 6 months: The six-month tag reflects a substantial period of sobriety and often accompanies noticeable lifestyle changes. Members may use this occasion to thank sponsors and fellow members in Guam for their ongoing support.
- 9 months: This tag acknowledges three-quarters of the way to a full year and helps maintain momentum through later stages of early recovery. It can be especially meaningful for those who have experienced previous relapses before reaching this point.
- 1 year: The one-year chip or keychain is a major milestone celebrated enthusiastically in many AA groups worldwide, including Guam. Often, the member may be invited to share briefly about their journey over the past year, providing inspiration and hope to newcomers.
- Multiple years: After the first year, many groups recognize each additional year of continuous sobriety with annual tags (for example, 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, and beyond). These long-term milestones demonstrate that lasting recovery is achievable and help build a culture of hope within Guam’s AA community.