How a CA meeting works
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Meetings
How a CA meeting works
In CA meetings, we meet with other recovering addicts that we can help and who can help us.
Most CA meetings have a given basic form. A member of the group (so-called meeting chair) leads the meeting. The meeting chair starts by asking if anyone is attending their first CA meeting. If someone answers yes or raises their hand, they receive a so-called newcomer chip and the meeting chair reads the text "To the newcomer". Then the question is asked if someone has been using and wants to come back. If any member has used drugs or alcohol, they may choose to say yes or raise their hand and get a new newcomer chip.
The meeting chair also asks if there's anyone who has sober time to celebrate. Sober time means the time someone has been free from drugs and alcohol (all mind-altering substances). Sober time celebrated in CA is 7 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 18 months and then whole years. For the time of sobriety there's a chip that the member receives.
Sometimes the question is also asked if there is a family member or visitor in the meeting.
Participants take turns reading CA's texts "Preamble", "Who is a C.A. member?" and "We can recover". Sometimes a piece from twelve-step literature like The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, is also read. The meeting is then opened for sharing. Participants share their own experiences of addiction and recovery with focus on the solution through the twelve steps. During the meeting, there are normally no open discussions, each member may take turns sharing. We don't comment what other's share. Sometimes a limited time rule to share is applied, which can be, for example, a maximum of 3 minutes per participant. As attendee, it is completely voluntary to share or just listen.
At the end of the meeting, an attendee reads the text "Reaching out". After that, available sponsors are usually asked to raise their hand. A sponsor is a sober addict who has taken the twelve steps and is available to guide others in step work and support them in recovery. Read more about sponsorship here.
At the end of the meeting, the 7th tradition, a reminder of anonymity and CA related announcements are also raised. The meeting usually ends with the participants praying the Serenity Prayer together.
If you want to ask questions or talk to a member, you can do so both before and after the meeting. Most CA meetings open at least half an hour before the scheduled meeting time.
CA's fifth tradition reads: "Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the addict who still suffers.". This means that the meeting group focuses on helping those who come as new to CA and want help.
Some meetings may differ slightly from the description above.
Anyone is welcome to an open CA meeting to see how it works! No pre-registration is required to attend a meeting.
open and closed meetings
Open meetings – open meetings welcome everyone who is interested in Cocaine Anonymous’ program of recovery, even if you are a family member, friend or for any other reason are interested in participating. Most CA meetings in Sweden are open meetings.
Closed meetings – Closed meetings welcome anyone who has a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances (drugs and alcohol).
Different meeting formats
Step meeting – The meeting focuses on reflections on one of the Twelve Steps.
Tradition meeting – the meeting focuses on reflections on one of the Twelve Traditions.
Meditation meeting – part of the meeting time is set aside for joint meditation, usually 5–10 minutes, but meetings with longer meditations also occur.
Speaker meeting – a member who has taken the twelve steps shares his experience, usually for 20-30 minutes of the total meeting time.
Book study meeting, Big Book meeting - the meeting focuses on reflections on texts from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Literature meeting – the meeting focuses on reflections on texts from twelve-step literature.
Thematic meeting, discussion meeting - the meeting focuses on reflections on one or more selected themes.
Online meeting – The meeting takes place via computer or telephone through group calls.
Women's meeting – meeting for women.
Men's meeting – meeting for men.
English-speaking meeting - the meeting is held in English.
Young People, YPCA - the meeting is aimed at young people but everyone is welcome.
Additional formats may occur.
Other meeting formats
Group service meetings – meetings where members of the service group discuss practical issues related to the meeting group, such as who will open and close the venue, who will chair the meeting, etc. Everyone is welcome to a service group meeting, even those who do not intend to be part of the service group.
Area meetings – meetings where representatives from different meeting groups and committees, belonging to the same geographical area, meet and discuss overall issues related to CA. CA Sweden is one area. Everyone is welcome at an area meeting, even those who are not representatives of any group or committee.
Events and conventions
Sometimes there are larger gatherings where CA members meet. For example, it may be a half-day with several speakers, workshops, meetings and socialising with others in the fellowship. In Sweden, smaller events are held several times a year and a larger Swedish Convention once a year. The Swedish Convention is usually 2-4 days. CA also has a World Convention every year. The country and city hosting the Convention varies from year to year.