Local Meeting Format
What to Expect in a LifeRing Meeting
Step into a LifeRing meeting, and you'll find a welcoming group of individuals, all focused on one powerful goal: reaching and maintaining sober. These aren't big, intimidating gatherings; they're small enough for everyone to truly participate. After a brief opening, your convenor (your meeting host who is also in recovery) will kick things off with a simple question: "How was your week?"
This is your chance to share what's been happening in your recovery journey since the last meeting and what lies ahead. The focus is always on your current life, not dwelling on the past. You don't need a label like "alcoholic" or "addict" to join; a genuine desire to be sober is all it takes. Just make sure you're sober when you arrive, ready to speak.
The beauty of a LifeRing meeting is its open, relaxed atmosphere. Think of it like a living room filled with sober friends having a genuine, free-flowing conversation. You're encouraged to ask questions, offer comments, and share feedback throughout the hour. If something comes to mind, say it! Laughter is a common, joyful sound here.
Of course, there are a few simple guidelines to keep things positive and productive: no extended "war stories" about past substance use, no aggressive confrontation or unsolicited advice, and leave religion, politics, and negativity towards other recovery approaches at the door. We keep it civil, and we keep it positive.
Meetings typically wrap up with a well-deserved round of applause for everyone's sobriety. What's shared in the meeting stays in the meeting; confidentiality is key. You can tell friends you attended, but never disclose who else was there or what they said.
Joining a LifeRing meeting is free. While a basket may be passed to cover expenses, contributions are completely voluntary. Need proof of attendance for court, treatment program, or medical team? LifeRing is widely recognized and your convenor can provide you with a sign in sheet.
Beyond face-to-face gatherings, LifeRing offers a robust array of online support options, including email groups, one-to-one "E-Pals" for sobriety support, and the LifeRing Delphi Forum. And if you're looking to give back, know that any sober individual can become a LifeRing convenor in just a few months – no professional training required, just a desire to help others on their path to recovery.
For more details about the meeting format, read How Was Your Week?, the LifeRing convenor's handbook, and the popular introduction to LifeRing Empowering Your Sober Self, both available in the LifeRing Bookstore.
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In most LifeRing meetings, people sit in a circle. The meeting is small enough so that everyone can participate. After a short opening statement, the meeting facilitator (we call them “convenors”) asks, “How was your week?” People take turns talking about what has been going on in their recoveries since the last meeting, and what lies ahead for them in the coming week. The focus will be on current events in the participants' lives.
You are not required to label yourself as an “alcoholic” or “addict” to participate. A desire to be sober is the only requirement for being there. You need to be sober at the time of the meeting in order to speak.
LifeRing meetings encourage questions, comments, and other feedback throughout the hour. If you have a question, feel free to ask the person right then. If you have something to say, say it while it's fresh in your mind. As people become comfortable with one another, the meeting atmosphere becomes like a living room filled with sober friends having a relaxed, free conversation. Laughter is a common ingredient.
There are some limits. Please, no extended “war stories” about your drinking/using past. No attack therapy or confrontation. Please avoid giving unsolicited advice. No religion or politics. No trashing of other recovery approaches. Keep it civil and keep it positive.
Meetings usually end with a mutual round of applause for being sober.
Meetings are confidential. You may disclose to your friends that you participated, but you may not disclose who else was present or what they said.
Participation is free. A basket may be passed to defray expenses, but contributions are voluntary. The convenor will sign your attendance sheet on request. Most courts and most treatment programs credit LifeRing attendance on a par with other support groups.
Local meetings are listed here. Online meetings are listed here.
LifeRing offers a wide array of online support options, including the email groups, LifeRing "E-Pals" - One-to-One Sobriety Support, and Delphi Forum.
A meeting convenor is a person in recovery like yourself. No professional training is required. If you stay sober and want to be useful to others by doing the same, in a few months, you could become a LifeRing meeting convenor yourself.
For more details about the meeting format, read How Was Your Week?, the LifeRing convenor's handbook, and the popular introduction to LifeRing Empowering Your Sober Self, both available in the LifeRing Bookstore.