Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety.
There are no A.A. “classes.” While some A.A. members may work in the field of recovery for their “day jobs,” A.A. meetings don’t have professionals leading them. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees.
Current Membership
It is estimated that there are over 120,000 groups and over 2,000,000 members in approximately 180 countries.
Relations with Outside Agencies
The Fellowship has adopted a policy of “cooperation but not affiliation” with other organizations concerned with the problem of alcoholism. We have no opinion on issues outside A.A. and neither endorse nor oppose any causes.
How A.A. Is Supported
Over the years, Alcoholics Anonymous has affirmed and strengthened a tradition of being fully self-supporting and of neither seeking nor accepting contributions from nonmembers.
How A.A. Members Maintain Sobriety
A.A. is a program of total abstinence. Members simply stay away from one drink, one day at a time. Sobriety is maintained through sharing experience, strength and hope at group meetings and through the suggested Twelve Steps for recovery from alcoholism.
Why Alcholics Anonymous Is “Anonymous”
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of A.A. It disciplines the Fellowship to govern itself by principles rather than personalities. We are a society of peers. We strive to make known our program of recovery, not individuals who participate in the program. Anonymity in the public media is assurance to all A.A.s, especially to newcomers, that their A.A. membership will not be disclosed.
Anyone May Attend A.A. Open Meetings
Anyone may attend open meetings of A.A., at which a member shares their experience with alcoholism and their recovery in A.A.
Some meetings are held for the specific purpose of informing the nonalcoholic public about A.A. Doctors, members of the clergy, and public officials are invited. Closed discussion meetings are for alcoholics only.
How A.A. Started
A.A. was started in 1935 by a New York stockbroker and an Ohio surgeon (both now deceased) who had been “hopeless” drunks. They founded A.A. in an effort to help others who suffered from the disease of alcoholism and to stay sober themselves. A.A. grew with the formation of autonomous groups, first in the United States and then around the world.
Some literature that might be helpful:
- Is A.A. for you?
- Is there an alcoholic in your life?
- FAQs about A.A.
- A.A. at a glance
- Newcomer’s Packet
What A.A. does do:
- A.A. members share their experience with anyone seeking help with a drinking problem; they give person-to-person service or “sponsorship” to the alcoholic coming to A.A. from any source.
- The A.A. program, set forth in our Twelve Steps, offers the alcoholic a way to develop a satisfying life without alcohol.
What A.A. does not do:
- Furnish initial motivation for alcoholics to recover.
- Solicit members.
- Engage in or sponsor research.
- Keep attendance records or case histories.
- Join “councils” of social agencies (although A.A. members, groups and service offices frequently cooperate with them).
- Follow up or try to control its members.
- Make medical or psychological diagnoses or prognoses.
- Provide detox or nursing services, hospitalization, drugs, or any medical or psychiatric treatment.
- Offer religious services or host/sponsor retreats.
- Engage in education about alcohol.
- Provide housing, food, clothing, jobs, money, or any other welfare or social services.
- Provide domestic or vocational counseling.
- Accept any money for its services, or any contributions from non-A.A. sources.
- Provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials, social agencies, employers, etc.
What is the Big Book?
The Big Book is the basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous. Entitled “Alcoholics Anonymous,” it first appeared in 1939. Since then, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Now available in its fourth edition, the Big Book explains the program of recovery, and contains the stories of A.A.’s co-founders as well as many members of diverse backgrounds who have found recovery in the worldwide fellowship.
More information about A.A.
Check out other articles for newcomers: