What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women who share the common goal of achieving and maintaining sobriety. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking—there are no dues or fees. Members follow AA’s 12-step program, which focuses on spiritual growth, personal accountability, and mutual support to overcome alcohol addiction and rebuild their lives.
History of AA
Founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, AA grew out of the Oxford Group, a Christian-based self-help movement. Wilson discovered that helping other alcoholics was key to staying sober himself. After working with Dr. Smith in Akron, Ohio, the two men created the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous, introducing meetings, sponsorship, and the 12 Steps. AA has since become the model for many other recovery fellowships worldwide.
AA Preamble
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
The Twelve Steps of AA
The Twelve Steps are outlined in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. They can be found at the beginning of the chapter “How It Works.” Essays on the Steps can be read in the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
The Twelve Traditions of AA
The Twelve Traditions provide guidelines for relationships between the groups, members, the global Fellowship and society at large. Questions of finance, public relations, donations and purpose are addressed in the Traditions. There is both a short form and a long form of the Traditions. The Traditions were first published in the April 1946 AA Grapevine under the title “Twelve Points to Assure Our Future.”
- Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
- For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
- The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
- Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
- Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
- An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
- Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
- Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
- A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
- Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
- Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
- Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Who Needs AA?
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous play a crucial role in helping individuals battling addiction, as they often lack the social networks needed to successfully navigate their recovery. Overcoming addiction is an incredibly challenging journey, and doing it alone can be even more daunting. Sadly, many addicts struggle to find supportive communities due to the negative stigma that surrounds alcoholism and those who are affected by it.
The societal stigma attached to alcoholism often prevents many alcoholics from discussing their struggles candidly. This results in various challenges when it comes to obtaining treatment.
They might be reluctant to share their struggles with their families, fearing rejection or the possibility of losing certain privileges. Consequently, this can lead to a lack of financial resources to pursue help for their addiction.
Individuals struggling with alcoholism may find it challenging to be transparent with their friends about their struggles. This lack of openness can hinder others from grasping the true extent of their addiction and its impact on their lives. When a person battling alcoholism cannot articulate their feelings, they often resort to a life of dishonesty, which can obscure their understanding of their situation and delay their recognition of the need for assistance.
People dealing with alcohol addiction frequently have to hide their struggles from their jobs and schools, making it challenging for them to consistently participate in their academic and professional responsibilities.
What Happens at an AA Meeting?
A meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous can take various shapes, but you will consistently hear members sharing their stories about the effects of alcohol on their lives, the measures they adopted for recovery, and their current way of living.
Typically, a chairperson guides the meetings, yet this individual does not possess any greater status than the other participants. This leader might be the person who set up the support group, the proprietor of the location where the group convenes, or a member of the group.
Meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous are typically conducted in easily accessible venues with sufficient parking options, including locations like community centers, libraries, cafes, outdoor spaces, and dining establishments. Additionally, they may take place in private residences or workplaces.
Types of Meetings
AA meetings come in various formats, such as Book Study, Step Study, Tradition Study, Discussion, and Speaker Meetings, among others. They can be categorized as Open meetings (welcoming both alcoholics and non-alcoholics) or Closed meetings (restricted to alcoholics and those seeking help). Additionally, there are meetings specifically for women and others exclusively for men. Typically, meetings last about an hour, although some may extend beyond that. These gatherings occur around the clock, every day of the week. The specific type, format, readings, and overall structure of each meeting are established by the founders and experienced members of that particular group. You can find worldwide AA meetings here.
AA Rules
Participation is entirely voluntary, and individuals are not obligated to disclose their names or label themselves as “alcoholics” (although many choose to do so). The aim of AA programs is to create a supportive environment where members can share and grow together, while also understanding that each person progresses at their own speed.
The program emphasizes the importance of abstaining from alcohol and other psychoactive or illegal substances. Nevertheless, individuals in the AA program are allowed to use prescribed medications, including antidepressants and other necessary drugs.
What Are Sponsors?
A sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous is an individual who has achieved some level of success in their own recovery journey. This person provides guidance and shares their personal experiences with another member who is seeking to maintain sobriety through the AA program.
The sponsorship element of the program delivers continuous, individualized support for both the sponsor and the person being sponsored. This individual is your personal link to the program, ready to provide phone assistance outside of meetings for any questions or concerns related to relapse.
How to Join AA
To become a member of AA, all you need to do is admit that you have a problem with drinking and decide to join. If you've explored the meetings and feel that the program is beneficial, you can easily consider yourself a member.
While Alcoholics Anonymous is primarily designed for individuals dealing with alcoholism, its open 12-step meetings are inclusive of anyone facing challenges with substance abuse. This program does not impose any financial or social commitments on its participants.
What Should I Know Before Attending a Meeting?
Look into the local AA groups available to you. Factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status can help establish a sense of familiarity and comfort for new participants.
Keep an open mind. Each person is there for a similar purpose: to break free from alcohol. This common battle can forge a deep connection within the group.
Don’t lose hope. If you find a meeting that doesn’t suit you, give another one a chance! Every gathering offers a different experience, and just because one didn’t click doesn’t mean AA can’t be a valuable resource for you.
What is the Success Rate of AA?
A 2022 Membership Survey of more than 6,000 AA members across the U.S. and Canada provided the following statistics about their Length of Sobriety:
• 23% for less than a year.
• 20% between one and 5 years.
• 13% between 5 and 10 years.
• 16% between 10 and 20 years.
• 28% 20 or more years.
Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous
For those who are hesitant about the spiritual aspect of the program or the AA 12 steps, there are various alternatives to the 12-step program. Many non-12-step programs are not religious but some are. They implement a self-help group strategy that integrates scientific evidence and prioritizes self-sufficiency. Participants in non-12-step programs may also choose to attend meetings of AA or Narcotics Anonymous.