Forming an ETA group is not difficult, although it might take some time to work out the details. If we’d like to host an in-person meeting, we might approach an organization that already provides support to the local community and ask if they have a suitable space. For example, this could be a house of worship or a community center, or another facility that offers services to groups: a location that already hosts other 12-Step groups is a good place to start. Often these locations will charge a small fee for use of the room.

ETA also encourages the formation of online meetings, which fosters remote participation and has the added benefit of bringing together people from different locations, communities and perspectives. If you’d like to start an online meeting, please send us the information through our Contact page and we’ll add the meeting to the ETA site.

Economics. ETA believes that every group, whether in-person or online, should be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions: this approach allows each group, and each member, to be free of influences that might adversely impact recovery and the ETA community. There is also no fee required to be an ETA member or to attend a meeting: while small donations may be suggested only to support meeting costs, no one is required to contribute any amount to ETA.

Meeting Formats. Each local group determines the format and structure for its ETA meetings. One-hour meetings are suggested, but meetings can be longer or shorter, depending upon that group’s needs. Typically, a speaker will start by sharing, for 15-20 minutes, their experience with extreme thinking and their recovery—and the remainder of the meeting will involve, first, a short administrative break to welcome new members and acknowledge anniversaries and, then, sharing by other group members. This format is typically referred to as a “speaker meeting.” Other formats might include a focus on chosen topics or an exploration of one or more of ETA’s steps. And some groups choose to alternate between meeting formats, so that there is a variety of approaches.

The ETA Preamble. Prior to each meeting, to remind us of our common purpose, we read the ETA Preamble aloud:

“Extreme Thinking Anonymous is a community of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may free themselves from extreme thinking. Our community is inclusive, welcoming individuals with a wide range of beliefs and backgrounds. The only requirement for membership is a desire to be restored to balanced thinking. There are no dues or fees for ETA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. ETA is not allied with any institution, religion, organization, political party or ideology; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to be relieved of extreme thinking, to live fulfilling lives that are consistent with our core values, and to help others in need.”

Personal Introductions. Before we speak in a meeting of ETA, we introduce ourselves by our first name. We typically say, “I’m _____ and I engaged in extreme thinking.” After this brief introduction, it’s suggested that we add two or three activities or interests that are important to us. For instance, we might say, “I enjoy fishing, reading biographies, and road trips with my family.” Or, “I love antiques and playing softball.” These revelations may feel awkward at first, even silly—but we soon find that by sharing our personal interests with each other, we break down barriers and develop important connections. We learn that, despite our many differences, we have much in common. When we seek ways to identify with other members, as opposed to focusing on our differences, we strengthen both our community and our recovery.

Closing a Meeting. At the end of each meeting, it is suggested that we stand in a circle and, together, recite the Serenity Prayer aloud: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

We note that ETA’s version of the Serenity Prayer does not start with the word God. Religion and the concept of a Higher Power are important to many of us, representing a vital part of our core values and beliefs. In the rooms of ETA, though, we learn that these religious beliefs sometimes have the unintended effect of creating divisions in our community. To promote our common welfare, the literature of ETA purposefully avoids references to God or a Higher Power. We are, of course, free to believe in any God and any religion that we choose, but when we speak about such beliefs in meetings, we try to do so in a manner that respects the diversity of views in our meetings and our common goal of freedom from extreme thinking.