General Information on AA
Alcoholics Anonymous was founded on June 10, 1935, when a newly sober stockbroker had a long conversation with a not-so-sober physician. It was thus discovered that one alcoholic working with another alcoholic was part of the solution to a lasting sobriety. The 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous sprang from the initial meeting of those two alcoholics, and today it is a worldwide organization that helps alcoholics recover from the disease of alcoholism.
The organization took its name from a book that was written in 1939. It was co-authored by the first 100+ sober members of Alcoholics Anonymous, however the main writing of the book is attributed to the first two sober members, Bill W. and Dr. Bob.
The AA program is not a religion. AA is a spiritual program of action. AA is all-inclusive, never exclusive, so if you have a problem with alcohol you are welcome to attend any meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous anywhere in the world.
Some professionals refer to alcoholism and drug addiction as “substance abuse” or “chemical dependency.” Non-alcoholics are, therefore, sometimes introduced to AA and encouraged to attend AA meetings. Anyone may attend open AA meetings, but only those with a drinking problem may attend closed meetings. A renowned psychiatrist, who served as a nonalcoholic trustee of the AA General Service Board, made the following statement: “Singleness of purpose is essential to the effective treatment of alcoholism. The reason for such exaggerated focus is to overcome denial. The denial associated with alcoholism is cunning, baffling, and powerful and affects the patient, helper, and the community. Unless alcoholism is kept relentlessly in the foreground, other issues will usurp everybody’s attention.”
AA 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 AA from any source.
The AA program, set forth in our Twelve Steps, offers the alcoholic a way to develop a satisfying life without alcohol.
This program is discussed at AA group meetings:
- Open speaker meetings – open to alcoholics and non-alcoholics. (Attendance at an open AA meeting is the best way to learn what AA is, what it does, and what it does not do.) At speaker meetings, AA members “tell their stories.” They describe their experiences with alcohol, how they came to AA, and how their lives have changed as a result of Alcoholics Anonymous.
- Open discussion meetings – leading a discussion on AA recovery or any or any other problem related to alcoholism. (Closed meetings are for AAs or anyone who may have a drinking problem.)
- Closed discussion meetings – conducted just as open discussions are, but for alcoholics or prospective AAs only. Step meetings (usually closed) – discussion of one of the Twelve Steps.
- AA members also take meetings into correctional and treatment facilities.
- AA members may be asked to conduct informational meetings about AA through the Public Information committee or the Cooperation with the Professional Community committee. These meetings about AA are not regular AA group meetings.
- 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
- 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-AA sources
- Provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials, social agencies, employers, etc.
In recent years, AA groups have welcomed many new members from court programs and treatment facilities. Some have come to AA voluntarily; others, under a degree of pressure. In our pamphlet “How AA Members Cooperate,” the following appears:
We cannot discriminate against any prospective AA member, even if he or she comes to us under pressure from a court, an employer, or any other agency. Although the strength of our program lies in the voluntary nature of membership in AA, many of us first attended meetings because we were forced to, either by someone else or by inner discomfort. But continual exposure to AA educated us to the true nature of the illness. Who made the referral to AA is not what AA is interested in. It is the problem drinker who is our concern. We cannot predict who will recover, nor have we the authority to decide how recovery should be sought by any other alcoholic.
Sometimes, courts ask for proof of attendance at AA meetings. Some groups, with the consent of the prospective member, have the AA group secretary sign or initial a slip that has been furnished by the court together with a self-addressed court envelope. The referred person supplies identificationand mails the slip back to the court as proof of attendance. Other groups cooperate in different ways. There is no set procedure. The nature and extent of any group’s involvement in this process is entirely up to the individual group. This proof of attendance at meetings is not part of AA’s procedure. Each group is autonomous and has the right to choose whether or not to sign court slips. In some areas the attendees report on themselves, at the request of the referring agency, and thus alleviate breaking AA members’ anonymity.
YES! AA Conference-approved literature is available in 60+ languages. For a list of these or for a literature catalog please write or call AA World Services (web link below). The AA Grapevine, a monthly international journal – also known as “our meeting in print” – features many interesting stories about recovery from alcoholism written primarily by members of AA. It is a useful introduction and ongoing link to AA’s diverse fellowship and wealth of recovery experience. The Spanish-language magazine La Viña, is published bimonthly. For Grapevine information or to order a subscription to either:
AA Grapevine or La Viña:
(212) 870 – 3404
www.aagrapevine.org
Box 459, Grand Central Station,
New York, NY 10163
Tel. (212) 870-3400
www.aa.org
The first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous in Calgary was held on October 17, 1945. Today, an average of 125 groups host an average of 300 AA meetings PER WEEK within the Calgary area. Meetings begin as early as 7:00am and occur throughout the day and evening. There are even midnight meetings in some areas of the city.
“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.” What is the purpose of anonymity in Alcoholics Anonymous? Why is it often referred to as the greatest single protection the Fellowship has to assure its continued existence and growth? If we look at the history of A.A., from its beginning in 1935 until now, it is clear that anonymity serves two different yet equally vital functions: At the personal level, anonymity provides protection for all members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard often of special importance to newcomers.
- At the public level of press, radio, TV, films and other media technologies such as the Internet, anonymity stresses the equality in the Fellowship of all members by putting the brake on those who might otherwise exploit their A.A. affiliation to achieve recognition, power, or personal gain.
- When using digital media, A.A. members are responsible for their own anonymity and that of others. When we post, text, or blog, we should assume that we are publishing at the public level. When we break our anonymity in these forums, we may inadvertently break the anonymity of others.
The word “anonymous” in our name is meant to provide as much privacy as an individual may desire regarding membership in A.A
Before we came to AA, we could not stop drinking, no matter what we did. We limited the number of drinks, never drinking alone, never drinking in the morning, drinking only at home, never having it in the house, never drinking during business hours, drinking only at parties, switching our drinks (e.g. from scotch to brandy), only drinking wine or beer, swearing off forever (with or without a solemn oath!), doing more physical exercise, reading inspirational books, going to doctors, psychologists and counselors (but never telling them the truth), voluntarily going into detox and treatment centres… we could increase the list forever. If you have ever tried to control your drinking and have been unsuccessful, then AA can help.
We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic, but you can quickly diagnose yourself.
We of AA are happy to share with you the solution we have found to the seemingly hopeless state of mind and body that is alcoholism. If you have a problem with drinking, try attending some AA meetings. See if it will work for you as it has for us.
Only you can decide whether you want to give AA a try – to ascertain whether or not you think it can help you. We who are in AA came because we finally gave up trying to control our drinking. We still hated to admit that we could never drink safely. Then we heard from other AA members that we were sick. (We thought so for years!) We found out that many people suffered from the same feelings of guilt and loneliness and hopelessness that we did. We found out that we had these feelings because we had the disease of alcoholism.
We decided to try and face up to what alcohol had done to us. Here are some of the questions we tried to answer honestly. If we answered YES to four or more questions, we were in deep trouble with our drinking. See how you do. Remember, there is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a problem.
