Empty Chairs at AA Meetings

Every public meeting place has chairs.  Hopefully, everyone finds a place to sit.  Classrooms, conference rooms, waiting rooms – all rooms full of chairs.  AA Meeting halls are no different.  What IS different is the empty chairs at the AA Meetings.  To us alcoholics, empty chairs can have significant meanings:

An Invitation

This empty chair shows that there is always space for someone new to join the group and find support in their recovery journey. It stands as a beacon of hope for those still out there, fighting their own battles, encouraging them to take the courageous step of seeking help. It reminds current members that their journey began with walking into a room and taking a chair.

Representation of Those Struggling

This empty chair is a constant reminder of the individual who is still actively battling addiction and haven’t yet reached out to AA for help. It serves to remind members of their own past struggles and reminds us that the door to recovery is always open. It is a symbol of empathy, reminding us to keep those still suffering in our thoughts and be available to support whenever possible.

A Reminder of Relapse Potential

The empty chair can also serve as a reminder to current members about their vulnerability to relapse and the importance of staying committed to sobriety. Even as we celebrate our progress, it’s important to remain vigilant to the ever-present potential for relapse. The empty chair keeps our eyes open to the fragility of recovery and the continuous effort required to maintain it.

Those No Longer with Us

Finally, from a more grim perspective, those empty chairs can remind us of those we have lost.  These may be people that never made it into these rooms and their lives were cut short by alcohol.  Or these may be people that shared this room with us and made an important impact on our lives and helped us with our recovery.

During my time in the Fellowship, I have found that the most important chair in AA is the empty one. It embodies the essence of AA’s inclusive and supportive environment, underscoring the idea that there is always room for newcomers. With each meeting that I attend, the presence of the empty chair fills me with a sense of responsibility—to stay committed to my sobriety, to support others in their journey, and to remain hopeful for those yet to join us.