Home Group
A regular recovery meeting that an individual commits to attend consistently, building relationships and accountability. Members take service positions, share openly, and create a stable foundation for long-term recovery through familiarity and belonging.
TL;DR
Your home group is the weekly meeting you treat as your recovery family, where you serve, share, and stay accountable.
Expert Insights
“Sobriety is more important than whatever triggered your stress. If you stay sober, you can solve any problem. If you lose sobriety, you'll solve nothing and lose everything.”
— Discussing stress management in recovery
“Recovery means unlearning the habits of a drinker and adopting the mindset of a sober person.”
— Defining recovery process
From the Sober.Live Knowledge Base
Key Points
- âś“Pick one meeting and attend every week to build trust and routine
- ✓Say yes to small service jobs—coffee, greeting, or setup—because service keeps you sober
- âś“Introduce yourself by first name and collect phone numbers; these people become your relapse-prevention team
- âś“If you slip, come back to the same room; the group expects you and will welcome you home
A home group is the single meeting you choose as your personal recovery headquarters. Instead of bouncing between rooms, you commit to one group, show up every week, and let the same faces become familiar. Over time the circle learns your story, notices when you’re missing, and celebrates each sober milestone with you.
Why a Home Group Works
Consistency creates safety. When you know you’ll see Maria at the door every Tuesday and that John always saves you a seat, the meeting becomes a refuge instead of a chore. Research on mutual-aid groups shows that people who attend the same meeting regularly have up to 60 % higher odds of staying sober than sporadic visitors. The science is simple: repeated contact builds social bonds, and social bonds reduce relapse risk.
How to Choose Your Home Group
Attend at least three different meetings in your first month. Ask yourself: Do I feel welcome? Is the format one where I can share honestly? Is the time and location realistic long-term? Once you decide, tell the secretary or greeter, “This is my home group.” They’ll usually hand you a service sign-up sheet.
Service Positions That Keep You Growing
- Coffee maker – Arrive 15 minutes early, start the pot, and chat with early birds.
- Greeter – Stand at the door, shake hands, and give newcomers a bulletin; you’ll remember names faster.
- Literature person – Set out books and collect money; you’ll stay connected to AA text.
- Group conscience rep – Attend monthly business meetings; you learn how AA governs itself.
Each small job gives you skin in the game and a reason to stay sober today—someone is counting on you.
Common Speed Bumps and How to Handle Them
“I’m too new to take a job.” Say yes anyway; the group will train you. “I relapsed and feel ashamed.” Walk back in. The group’s unofficial motto is “We saved you a seat.” “The meeting is boring.” Bring a newcomer next week; watching someone else get hopeful makes the room interesting again.