Alcoholics Anonymous in Uzès & Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie
- Par nbesse
- Le 07/01/2026
- Dans Living in Uzès and around
FR - Created on the initiative of its members, the Alcoholics Anonymous association in Uzège hosts weekly discussion groups of 6 to 7 people, on Wednesdays afternoons in Uzès and Thursday evenings in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie.
These meetings come in addition to other groups in the Gard department, based in Quissac and Nîmes. However, that it is very rare not to find groups in your department in France.
Presentation
About Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
Mainly held in French, AA meetings also welcome English speakers. But do note that there are also mainly English-speaking groups throughout France, including one in Nîmes (for more information about meetings, please visit our website or the Meeting Guide app).
There are two types of meetings: closed meetings, which are reserved for alcoholics only, and open meetings, which are open to family, friends and professionals (natural allies) who wish to attend.
There are also conferences, conventions, workshops and sometimes even parties, such as on 31 December.
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Alcoholics Anonymous has its roots in 1935, when the movement was founded in the United States. In France, Alcoholics Anonymous began its support work in 1960, when Joseph Kessel's articles on AA were published, and celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2025.
While the desire to stop drinking is the only requirement for becoming a member of AA, the association offers support and understanding around alcoholism and its consequences, both personal and familial and professional. (source)
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A support team led by a moderator
Knowing that we are all alcoholics, we are ultimately all equal in the face of this disease. No one therefore defines themselves, strictly speaking, as a supervisor. However, at each meeting, we decide on a moderator from among the members present.
In addition, like any association, our groups are made up of service managers, treasurers, secretaries, etc. Appointed by the members, they perform a service, not a governance role.
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Recognised as sick, alcoholics are now treated and supported by professionals in the health, social, legal and other sectors. (source)
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Do the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings complement other forms of support, particularly psychological and/or medical?
Of course, we are not replacing anyone and we are not doctors. When you are in distress, no tool, whether medical or social, no helping hand should be rejected.
We also wish to remind everyone at each of our meetings that ‘AA is not affiliated with any sect, denomination, political organisation, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.’
Do professionals collaborate with your association, both during and outside of meetings?
We sometimes welcome doctors, psychologists and journalists to our meetings. Unfortunately, however, this is still insufficient in France.
We also work with medical services in the context of visits to hospitalised or recovering patients, as well as with prison services during visits to prisons.
What else would you like to add?
AA offers a recovery programme and a suggested lifestyle for achieving and maintaining sobriety. Our support groups are our ‘insulin’ in the face of a disease that is currently incurable.
Many thanks to Olivier D. and Sandrine R. for their collaboration on this article.
The right address: Alcoholics Anonymous in Uzège, Uzès Franco-English Group, Maison des Artisans d'Art, Place de Verdun, Uzès every Wednesday at 2 p.m., Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie Group (Centre Social, Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie), every Thursday at 7 p.m. Find all the information about AA on the website. Tel: 09 69 39 40 20. Find Alcoholics Anonymous, Les Alcooliques Anonymes and Dry January & French Dry January on Instagram.