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Help & Support

Find quick answers, crisis contacts, meeting access guidance, and recovery resources.

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Crisis & Immediate Help

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or thinking about self-harm: call 988 now. If there is an active emergency or someone has been harmed, call 911.

Call 988

24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.). Confidential support.

SAMHSA 1-800-662-HELP

Treatment & mental health referral helpline.

Find Treatment

Locate detox & treatment centers near you.

If You're in Crisis Right Now

  1. Pause and breathe slowly. You're not aloneā€”help is available.
  2. Call 988 or text them if speaking feels hard.
  3. Remove anything unsafe (pills, alcohol, weapons) from your immediate area if you can do so safely.
  4. Reach out to a sober friend, sponsor, or someone you trust.
  5. Join a meeting (see Joining Meetings below) for connection and stability.

This website and chatbot cannot monitor or respond in real-time to crises. Always use emergency services when safety is at risk.

Warning Signs To Take Seriously

  • Talking about wanting to die or harm oneself
  • Expressing hopelessness or unbearable pain
  • Withdrawing, isolating, or giving away belongings
  • Using much more alcohol or drugs suddenly
  • Sudden calm after deep despair

Supportive Things You Can Do

  • Say: "I'm glad you told me. You're not alone."
  • Stay with the person (or on the line) until help connects
  • Remove immediate dangers if safe
  • Encourage professional help (988, doctor, counselor)
  • Avoid judgment or minimizing their feelings

International Visitors

If you're outside the U.S., search "suicide hotline" + your country, or visit: International Helplines Directory.

Crisis resources are provided for immediate safety. Back Porch Meetings is a peer-led recovery community and does not replace professional medical or mental health care.

Joining Meetings

Back Porch hosts regular AA meetings (see our detailed schedule) and you can also explore hundreds of other online AA meetings through the official AA Intergroup directory.

Back Porch Schedule

View our current meeting times, formats, and any updates on the dedicated meetings page.

View Our Meetings

Find Other Online Meetings

For a comprehensive directory of online AA meetings (global time zones & formats), visit AA Intergroup's official listing.

AA Intergroup Directory ā†—

How to Join a Zoom Meeting

  1. Choose a meeting from our schedule or the AA Intergroup Directory.
  2. Click the Zoom link (or copy the Meeting ID & Passcode if provided).
  3. If prompted, allow Zoom to open (or use the browser option).
  4. Mute on entry; enable video if you're comfortable (not required).
  5. Type a brief hello in chat ("New ā€“ first time here" is welcome).

If a link fails, paste the Meeting ID into the Zoom app manually.

Meeting Etiquette

  • Arrive a few minutes early if possible
  • Keep background noise low / mute when not sharing
  • No recording or screenshotsā€”protect anonymity
  • Use first name & last initial only (optional)
  • Chat respectfully; avoid crossā€‘talk during shares

Tips & Access

  • Time zone shown is Eastern (ET) unless noted
  • Mobile users: install the Zoom app for stability
  • Low bandwidth? Turn off your video to improve audio
  • Need help? Ask the chatbot: "How do I join?"
  • Problems connecting? Re-try via copied Meeting ID
Back Porch Meeting External Directory

Attendance / Proof

Need verification for court, treatment, probation, professional monitoring, or personal records? Use the form below or the provided fallback method.

Primary: Online Form

Complete the secure request form after you attend the meeting. Typical processing time: 24ā€“48 hours.

Open Request Form ā†—

If the embedded form below does not load, use the Open Request Form link.

Alternate: Email Verification

If the form is unavailable, copy the template below and email it to the group contact.

Information Youā€™ll Need

  • Your first name & last initial (or anonymized ID if required)
  • Date of the meeting attended (with time & time zone)
  • Type of meeting (e.g., Beginner, Big Book, Speaker)
  • Reason for verification (court, treatment, personal, other)
  • Destination email (probation officer, counselor, etc. ā€“ if allowed)

We only confirm attendanceā€”not sobriety history, diagnoses, or personal shares.

Processing Notes

  • Allow 1ā€“2 business days for manual verification.
  • Multiple requests for the same day may be consolidated.
  • Some authorities require live signaturesā€”confirm their rules.
  • We won't backā€‘date attendance we can't verify.

Privacy & Anonymity

  • Only minimum necessary info is stored.
  • We never sell or reuse personal data.
  • Request deletion anytime via contact form.
  • Use initials only if you prefer.
Reminder: Some courts require you to collect and submit logs yourself. Always keep a personal record of meetings attended.
Email Template (Click to Expand) Copy & send if form fails 
Subject: Attendance Verification Request

Hello,

I attended the Back Porch AA meeting on: ________ (date & time ET)
Meeting Type: __________________
My Name (first & last initial or ID): __________________
Reason Verification Needed: (court / treatment / personal / other)
Please send confirmation to (if different or required): __________________

Thank you,
[Your Name / Initials]

Need help? Ask the chatbot: "attendance verification" or use the contact form.

Literature & Downloads

Group-use and recovery support documents hosted locally. Core AA literature (e.g., full Big Book) is linked to official AA sources for accuracy and respect of copyrights.

Group / Meeting Materials

Official AA Links

Usage & Permissions

Locally hosted PDFs are intended for meeting use. Official AA literature is referencedā€”not reproducedā€”except for brief excerpts traditionally read in meetings. For full texts, always use AA.org sources.

Document set last updated: 2025-09-19
Planned additions: Chairperson Script, Opening Readings packet.

Chips & Literature Requests

Request sobriety milestone chips and approved AA literature through our secure forms. Physical items may depend on mailing availability and group resources.

Sobriety Chips

Celebrate milestones (24 hours, 30/60/90 days, 6/9 months, yearly). Provide a safe mailing address if requesting shipment.

Secure Form
Quick Request
Request a Chip
Fast Processing
Free Shipping

Processing may take 12 weeks depending on inventory.

Literature Request

Request basic group materials (pamphlets or meeting format). We encourage purchasing official books directly via AA.org or local intergroup when possible.

Request Literature ā†—

Only publicly distributable pamphlets may be fulfilled directly.

Note: We do not sell literature for profit. Official AA publications should be obtained from AA.org or your local intergroup where possible.

Questions? Ask the chatbot: "chips" or "literature".

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about meetings, anonymity, verification, and requests. Ask the chatbot any of these topics (e.g., type: "privacy", "attendance proof", "chips").

How is my privacy & anonymity respected here?

We follow AAā€™s principle of anonymity: share only your first name & optionally last initial. You may also use a nickname if needed. We do not require real names to join meetings.

  • Meetings: No recordings, screenshots, or chat exports should be made.
  • Attendance Requests: Only minimal details (name/initials, date, reason) are used.
  • Contact Form: Used only to respond to inquiriesā€”no marketing lists.

Need more? Ask the chatbot: anonymity.

What should I expect at my first meeting?

Arrive a few minutes early if you can. Youā€™ll see members greeting each other. A chairperson will open with readings (e.g., How It Works, Traditions, or a format). You can simply observeā€”sharing is optional.

  • Mute when not speaking
  • Use video only if comfortable
  • Introduce yourself briefly if you like (ā€œIā€™m Sam, Iā€™m an alcoholicā€)
  • No cross-talk during someone elseā€™s share

Chatbot tip: Ask first meeting for a concise version.

When should crisis resources be used instead of the chatbot?

The chatbot canā€™t monitor real-time distress or intervene in emergencies. If you or someone else talks about self-harm, active danger, or overdose concernsā€”call 988 (U.S.) or your local emergency number immediately.

  • Imminent harm: Call 911 (or your regional equivalent)
  • Suicidal thoughts: 988 or crisis text line
  • Medical emergency: Emergency services firstā€”then return when safe

Chatbot keywords that trigger safety guidance: suicide, kill myself, no hope.

How do I request proof of attendance?

Use the online form in the Attendance / Proof section (preferred). If itā€™s down, use the fallback email template provided there.

  • Include meeting date & time (ET)
  • State reason (court, treatment, personal, etc.)
  • Provide destination email if allowed
  • Allow 24ā€“48 hours for processing

Chatbot shortcut: attendance proof.

How do chip & literature requests work?

Submit the appropriate form in the Chips & Literature section. Chips are mailed (if available) for recognized milestones. Literature requests are limited to basic items (pamphlets/format). For Big Book or full texts, please use AA.org or intergroup.

  • Provide a safe mailing address for physical items
  • Not all items may be in stock
  • No resale or unofficial reproductions

Chatbot shortcut: chips or literature.

What data do you store & can I delete it?

We store only whatā€™s necessary to fulfill requests (attendance verification metadata, chip/literature form submissions, and contact inquiries). Chatbot messages are not permanently stored beyond ephemeral session logic (unless future analytics are explicitly disclosed).

  • No sale or sharing of personal data
  • No automated marketing lists
  • Minimal retentionā€”delete on verified request
  • Use initials if you prefer additional anonymity

Chatbot shortcut: data policy or privacy.

Still stuck? Use the contact form on the home page or ask the chatbot for help.

AA Resources & Tools

Essential websites, apps, and tools to support your recovery journey. All links are to official AA resources or widely trusted recovery platforms.

šŸ›ļø Official AA Resources

AA.org - Official Site

World Services headquarters, literature, meeting finder, and official AA information.

Find Local Meetings

Official AA meeting finder for in-person meetings near you.

AA Literature

Official books, pamphlets, and recovery materials from AA World Services.

Online Meeting Directory

Comprehensive directory of online AA meetings worldwide, updated daily.

The Big Book

Official Alcoholics Anonymous (The Big Book) - 4th Edition online.

Steps & Traditions

Learn about the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions that guide AA.

šŸ†˜ Crisis & Support Resources

988 - Crisis Lifeline

24/7 suicide & crisis lifeline. Free, confidential support.

SAMHSA Helpline

1-800-662-HELP. Treatment referral and information service.

Find Treatment

Locate addiction treatment facilities and support services.

SAMHSA Resources

Mental health and substance abuse resources and referrals.

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741. 24/7 crisis support via text.

Suicide Prevention

Resources, chat support, and prevention information.

šŸ“± Recovery Apps & Digital Tools

Sobriety Tracking Apps

  • I Am Sober - Popular sobriety counter with motivation features
  • Sober Time - Simple, clean sobriety day counter
  • Recovery Dharma - Meditation-based recovery app
  • Pink Cloud - Social recovery support network

Search your app store for these popular recovery apps.

Online AA Tools

šŸ“š Study & Literature Resources

Daily Reflections

Official daily meditation book and online readings.

Just for Today

Daily meditations and recovery thoughts.

Silkworth.net

Historical AA documents and literature archive.

AA Grapevine

Official AA magazine with stories and recovery insights.

Box 459

Newsletter for AA groups and service committees.

Sponsorship Guide

Information about sponsorship and working the steps.

šŸŒ Regional AA Resources

Find Your Local Intergroup

Intergroups provide local meeting schedules, literature, and support services.

AA Service Structure

Learn about AA's service structure and get involved.

Remember: These resources supplement but never replace the core AA program: meetings, sponsorship, and working the twelve steps. Always prioritize your safety and reach out for help when needed.

Contact & Anonymity (Placeholder)

Statement about anonymity & how to reach trusted servants coming soon.