“Public Information (PI) in Alcoholics Anonymous means carrying the message of recovery to the still-suffering alcoholic by informing the general public about the AA Program. We carry the message by getting in touch with and responding to the media, schools, industry, and other organizations which can report on the nature and purpose of AA and what it can do for alcoholics.”

People from all walks of life come together to solve their drinking problem. AA is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.

Professionals, those who work with the recovery community, commonly refer to AA as a peer mentoring group, support recovery organization, or a mutual aid society. Ongoing support is an essential part of recovery from alcoholism. We want to work with you! Please see our Cooperation With the Professional Community page [COMING SOON!] or email them at cpc@marylandaa.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous World Service, Inc. is a nonprofit organization. Starting in the late 1930s, AA is operated and maintained by the voluntary contributions of its members as are the individual AA Groups. This is one of our 12 Traditions which are principles we have found that sustain us.

AA is in over 180 countries. The book Alcoholics Anonymous, the basic text of AA, has been translated into over 70 languages. There are over 1000 AA meetings a week in Maryland counties. Virtual meetings are available around the world. There are AA meetings starting every hour. The AA Meeting Guide App and the AA Online Intergroup are the largest sources in the US/Canada structure.

AA does not affiliate with other entities or organizations. AA will cooperate with anyone to help the still suffering. Members of AA outreach committees are trained to bring presentations to any group or professional organization in our efforts to better help the still-suffering alcoholic.

There are over 300 other organizations who use the AA Program of Recovery, the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of AA, for other problems and addictions. Each Twelve Step Group or organization keeps to a singleness of purpose. AA members share their experience with recovery from alcoholism so that newcomers can identify to get the help they need.

• Give presentations about A.A to schools and organizations. (Send an email to the Public Information (PI) Chair by using the contact form below.)
• Provide information about A.A. through digital and print materials.
• Ensure local media has accurate information about A.A. through PSAs, anonymity-protected interviews and digital press kits

Exhibits: Upon request, our committee is available to set up exhibit tables offering informational pamphlets and statewide meeting schedule booklets at any professional event.

Presentations: We are available to give presentations about Alcoholics Anonymous for any group of professionals. We are flexible and able to fit this within any time frame – from ten minutes to an hour. This may take place at a staff meeting, in a classroom, or any other setting. Our presentations may take place in a variety of different ways, depending on your request: Power Point presentation, brief talk with fact sheet handouts, etc.

Literature: We have packets available which each contain letters and pamphlets describing AA. These are available upon request. If you wish to receive a literature catalog, we have those available as well.

Why we do this work: Much of the public has not had the opportunity to find out how the AA program works. There are a great many misconceptions about AA in the public eye. Unless we inform the public, many practicing alcoholics may never find us. Many professionals will not be aware that we provide these resources and tools to serve their clients.

Some free Public Service Announcements are available on YouTube

and also on our AA.org website you will find these Video PSAs

A.A.’s public service announcements (PSAs) help us communicate our message of hope and life-changing possibilities to the millions who may benefit. Audio PSAs are available at no cost to your station. These PSAs have no end date for use. Clicking on the SoundCloud or Privacy policy links in the audio player will redirect you to the SoundCloud website.

Alcoholics Anonymous is not an anonymous organization. Members of AA protect their anonymity: to protect the AA organization, their professional and private lives, the lives of other alcoholics, and most importantly, those seeking help with their drinking problem: the newcomer. Your anonymity will be protected. AA does not keep information on their members nor track or record who contacts them.

We need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films. “Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, media, radio, and films.“

“We respectfully ask that AA speakers and AA members not be photographed, videoed, or identified by full name on all media platforms or in any published reports of our meetings, including those reports on public media platforms.

A Complete Recovery Program from Alcoholism:

The AA program of recovery suggests every member should be fully involved in all Three Legacies of AA. Unity, Service, Recovery.  The Three Legacies for a complete recovery program:

Unity: creating a social support system. The psycho-social connection that made AA unique in the world’s efforts to help alcoholics. Creating a social support system for long term sobriety is essential. This is sometimes referred to by professionals as peer-to-peer support or mentoring recovery.

Service: giving back freely in the efforts of service to the still suffering Alcoholic. We know that members who engage in service have much higher success rates. Those who have recovered frequently find giving back to others, as AA’s greatest long-term gift.

Recovery: using the directions in the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” as a program to recover from alcoholism. There is no known cure for alcoholism; however, it can be treated and arrested.

AA offers a variety of meetings, including meetings for people of color, women, LGBTQ+ and the gender non-conforming, newcomers, young people, atheists, and agnostics. Many meetings are all-inclusive, for anyone with a desire to stop drinking. New meetings are being added every day.

AA groups have both open and closed meetings. Closed meetings are for AA members only, or for those who have a drinking problem and “have a desire to stop drinking.” Open meetings are available to anyone interested in the Alcoholics Anonymous program of recovery from alcoholism.  Non-alcoholics may attend open meetings as observers.  Whether open or closed, AA group meetings are conducted by AA members who determine the format of their meetings.

Making the decision to go to an AA meeting can be intimidating and uncomfortable. Yet, it is a courageous first step in admitting to yourself that you may have a drinking problem that can be helped by the shared experience of recovered alcoholics.

Fortunately, every AA participant has had a similar experience. The organization itself was founded by alcoholics who have found a solution in the 12 Steps. The success of this program is based on the concept that one alcoholic can help another alcoholic, as only an alcoholic can. Experience has shown that those who are not alcoholic do not understand this condition and remain hopelessly unable to help us. The purpose of an AA Group is to cultivate a feeling of community and understanding to bring the program of recovery, the solution, to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Attendees of an AA meeting will be welcomed into the group. Discussion among new members is encouraged, but not required. Participants may share their personal stories, including commentary, experience, and readings from AA literature.

AA meetings are designated as either “open” or “closed.” Anyone may attend an open meeting, alcoholic or not. A listed meeting will either have “O” or “C” next to it. We encourage anyone who wishes to learn more about AA to attend an open meeting. If you would prefer to attend a meeting accompanied by an AA member, one of our committee members would be happy to accompany you.

One misconception of AA is that it is a religious program. It is neither affiliated with nor endorses any religious belief or dogma. Members of AA range from the hard and fast beliefs of atheism to the most ardent of religious devotees from every denomination, sect, and culture. AA does not endorse nor oppose any other organization or profession.

The spiritual experience in AA is as varied as its members. Each person finds their own truth about their drinking problem. Many recovered alcoholics refer to their truth as a spiritual experience.

AA has no interest in discouraging others in their efforts to find solutions to the age-old problem of alcoholism. The AA organization has no opinion on any other subjects, including alcohol reform, detox, alcoholism treatment, social issues, politics, or religion. AA does not oppose medical professionals that are researching other solutions for alcoholism.

Looking to carry the message of AA? Our Committee has a variety of ways you can get involved. We meet jointly with CPC and virtually on the 3^rd Sunday of the month at 3 p.m.  Please send contact us to receive the details. Professionals are welcome to join this meeting. Please send contact us to receive the details.

Contact the Public Information (PI) Committee Chair by (1) using the contact form below or (2) by email to: A29cpcpi@gmail.com; or (3) pi@marylandaa.org.

Reprinted from (A.A. at a Glance…, page 2), with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Reprinted from (A.A. Fact File…, pages 6-7), with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc

Reprinted from (If You are A Professional…, page 3), with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

2022 AA Membership Survey

Understanding Anonymity

Answering Service/Hotlines:  Maryland is home to 11 Intergroups and each have a hotline where a caller has the option to either ask for a local meeting listing or to speak to an AA member.

Area 29 Intergroups

• Southern Maryland Intergroup
• West Central Intergroup
• Northeast Maryland Intergroup
• Annapolis Area Intergroup
• Western Maryland Intergroup
• Baltimore Intergroup
• Lower Shore Intergroup
• Midshore Intergroup
• Ocean City Intergroup
• Baltimore Hispanic Intergroup
• Hagerstown Intergroup

Area 29 Map

Area 29 Districts

An international meeting guide and services at The Online Intergroup of AA

The AA Meeting Guide app syncs with area, district, intergroup/central offices and international general service office websites, relaying meeting information from more than 400 A.A. service entities directly to the app. Over 100,000 weekly meetings are currently listed, and the information is refreshed twice daily.

Baltimore Hispanic Intergroup, 30 Alco Place, Halethorpe, MD. Meets every Tuesday at 8 pm. Contact: aaintergrupomd@gmail.com

For a directory of meetings in Spanish: DIRECTORIO DE GRUPOS DMV

Maryland Deaf Access Committee This is a Committee that follows all of the AA traditions and does not accept funds from sources outside of AA. They are working to organize in-person meetings interpreted in American Sign Language. Meets Virtually on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 4:30 pm. Contact: pi@marylandaa.org

Contact the Public Information (PI) Committee Chair by (1) using the contact form below or (2) by email to: A29cpcpi@gmail.com; or (3) pi@marylandaa.org.