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. 1
What is alcoholism?
As AA sees it, alcoholism is an illness. Alcoholics cannot control their
drinking, because they are ill in their bodies and in their minds (or emotions),
AA believes. If they do not stop drinking, their alcoholism almost always gets
worse and worse. Both the American Medical Association and the British Medical
Association, chief organizations of doctors in those countries, also have said
that alcoholism is an illness. 5
What are the symptoms?
Not all alcoholics have the same symptoms, but many — at different stages in
the illness — show these signs: They find that only alcohol can make them feel
self-confident and at ease with other people; often want “just one more” at the
end of a party; look forward to drinking occasions and think about them a lot;
get drunk when they had not planned to; try to control their drinking by changing
types of liquor, going on the wagon, or taking pledges; sneak drinks; lie about
their drinking; hide bottles; drink at work (or in school); drink alone; have
blackouts (that is, cannot remember the next day what they said or did the night
before); drink in the morning, to relieve severe hangovers, guilty feelings and
fears; fail to eat and become malnourished; get cirrhosis of the liver; shake
violently, hallucinate, or have convulsions when withdrawn from liquor.5
How can AA help me with my drinking problem?
We in AA know what it is like to be addicted to alcohol, and to be unable to
keep promises made to others and ourselves that we will stop drinking. We are not
professional therapists. Our only qualification for helping others to recover from
alcoholism is that we have stopped drinking ourselves, but problem drinkers coming
to us know that recovery is possible because they see people who have done it.
2
How does AA help the alcoholic?
Through the example and friendship of the recovered alcoholics in AA, new
members are encouraged to stay away from a drink “one day at a time,” as the AA's
do. Instead of “swearing off forever” or worrying about whether they will be sober
tomorrow, AA's concentrate on not drinking right now — today. By keeping alcohol
out of their systems, newcomers take care of one part of their illness —their bodies
have a chance to get well. But remember, there is another part. If they are going
to stay sober, they need healthy minds and healthy emotions, too. So they begin
to straighten out their confused thinking and unhappy feelings by following AA’s
“Twelve Steps” to recovery.
These Steps suggest ideas and actions that can guide alcoholics toward happy
and useful lives. To be in touch with other members and to learn about the recovery
program, new members go to AA meetings regularly. 5
Who belongs to AA?
Like other illnesses, alcoholism strikes all sorts of people. So the men and
women in AA are of all races and nationalities, all religions and no religion
at all. They are rich and poor and just average. They work at all occupations, as
lawyers and housewives, teachers and truck drivers, waitresses and members of the
clergy. AA does not keep a list of members, but groups do report how many people
belong to each one. From these reports, total AA membership is estimated at over
2,000,000. 5
What AA Does NOT Do
Make medical or psychiatric diagnoses or prognoses, or offer advice.
Provide drying-out or nursing services, hospitalization, drugs, housing,
jobs, money or other welfare services.
Accept any money for its services or contributions from outside sources.
Provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials,
social agencies, employers, etc.
Engage in or support education, research, or professional treatment.
3
Membership
How do I join AA?
You are an AA member if and when you say so. The only requirement for AA
membership is a desire to stop drinking, and many of us were not very wholehearted
about that when we first approached AA 2
What advice do you give new members?
In our experience, the people who recover in AA are those who: (a) stay away
from the first drink; (b) attend AA meetings regularly; (c) seek out the people
in AA who have successfully stayed sober for some time; (d) try to put into
practice the AA program of recovery. 2
What is the purpose of anonymity in AA?
At the personal level, anonymity assures privacy for all members, a safeguard
often of special significance to newcomers who may hesitate to seek help in AA
if they have any reason to believe their alcoholism may be exposed publicly.
4
Meetings
What are AA meetings?
Alcoholics Anonymous is established in over 180 countries. The people in each
group get together, usually once or twice a week, to hold AA meetings, of two main
types:
At “open meetings”, speakers tell how they drank,
how they discovered AA, and how its program has helped them. Members may bring
relatives or friends, and usually anyone interested in AA is also welcome to attend
“open meetings.”
“Closed meetings” are for alcoholics only. These are group
discussions, and any members who want to may speak up, to ask questions and to share
their thoughts with fellow members. At “closed meetings,” AAs can get
help with personal problems in staying sober and in everyday living. Some other AAs
can explain how they have already handled the same problems — often by using
one or more of the Twelve Steps. 5
If I go to an AA meeting, does that commit me to anything?
No. AA does not keep membership files, or attendance records. You do not have
to reveal anything about yourself. No one will bother you if you don’t want to
come back. 2
Who runs AA?
AA has no real government. Each group is free to work out its own customs and
ways of holding meetings, as long as it does not hurt other groups or AA as a whole.
The members elect a chairperson, a secretary, and other group officers. These officers
do not give orders to anybody; mostly, their job is to see that the meetings run
smoothly. 5
How much does AA membership cost?
There are no dues or fees for AA membership. An AA group will usually have a
collection during the meeting to cover expenses, such as rent, coffee, etc, and to
this all members are free to contribute as much or as little as they wish.
2
What is the difference between open and closed AA meetings?
The purpose of all AA group meetings, as the Preamble states, is for AA members
to “share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may
solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” Toward
this end, AA groups have both open and closed meetings. Closed meetings are for AA
members only, or for those who have a drinking problem and “have a desire to
stop drinking. “Open meetings are available to anyone interested in Alcoholics
Anonymous’ program of recovery from alcoholism. 4
Families
What can the families of alcoholics do?
AA is just for the alcoholics, but two other fellowships can help their relatives.
One is Al-Anon Family Groups. The other is Alateen, for teenagers who have alcoholic
parents. 5
Can I bring my family to an AA meeting?
Family members or close friends are welcome at “Open” AA meetings.
Discuss this with your local contact. 2
AA Groups
What is an AA group?
As the long form of Tradition Three clearly states, “Our membership ought
to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to
recover. Nor ought AA membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or
three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an AA group,
provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.” 4
What kinds of meetings do AA groups hold?
“Every AA group is autonomous,” our Fourth Tradition says, “except
in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.” So, predictably, the meetings
held by our thousands of groups each have their own imprint. The most common kinds
of AA meetings are:
Discussion. Whether closed or open, an AA member
serving as “leader” or “chair” opens the meeting in the
usual way and selects a topic for discussion. Background for many topic meetings
derives from our Big Book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, As
Bill Sees It and the “AA Grapevine.” A few specific topic suggestions
would include: acceptance versus admission, freedom through sobriety, principles
versus personalities, fear (or the nameless fears), surrender, gratitude, anger,
willingness, honesty, attitude, resentments, making amends, humility and tolerance.
Speaker. One or more members selected beforehand “share,” as
described in the Big Book, telling what they were like, what happened and what they
are like now. Depending upon the group conscience for general guidelines, some groups
prefer that members who speak have a minimum period of continuous sobriety. Speaker
meetings often are “open” meetings.
Beginners. Usually led by a group member who has been sober awhile, these
are often question-and-answer sessions to help newcomers. (A Guide for Leading Beginners
Meetings is available from GSO).
Step, Tradition or Big Book. Because the Twelve Steps are the basis of
personal recovery in AA, many groups devote one or more meetings a week to the study
of each Step in rotation; some discuss two or three Steps at a time. These same formats
may be applied to group meetings on the Big Book or the Twelve Traditions. Many groups
make it a practice to read aloud pertinent material from the Big Book or the
“Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” at the onset of the meeting. In
addition to the meetings described above, groups also hold the following kinds of
meetings:
Business. Some groups schedule special sessions throughout the year, apart from
regular meetings, for reports from group officers to discuss group affairs. Group
officers usually are elected at such meetings. (See section on Business Meetings, p. 36.)
Group Inventory. These are meetings at which members work toward understanding
how well aspects defining an AA group, they may call themselves an AA group. AA
groups are encouraged to register at GSO, as well as with their area, district,
intergroup or central office. 4
What is an AA Home Group?
“Traditionally, most AA members through the years have found it important to
belong to one group which they call ‘Home Group.’ This is the group where
they accept responsibilities and try to sustain friendships. And although all AA members
are usually welcome at all groups and feel at home at any of these meetings, the concept
of the ‘Home Group’ has still remained the strongest bond between the AA
member and the Fellowship.” (from The AA Service Manual). With membership
comes the right to vote upon issues that might affect the group and might also affect
AA as a whole–a process that forms the very cornerstone of AA’s service
structure. As with all group-conscience matters, each AA member has one vote; and this,
ideally, is voiced through the home group. Over the years, the very essence of AA strength
has remained with the home group, which, for many members, becomes their extended family.
Once isolated by their drinking, they find in the home group a solid, continuing support
system, friends and, very often, a sponsor. They also learn firsthand, through the group’s
workings, how to place “principles before personalities” in the interest of
carrying the AA message. Talking about her own group, a member says: “Part of my
commitment is to show up at my home-group meetings, greet newcomers at the door, and be
available to them–not only for them but for me. My fellow group members are the
people who know me, listen to me, and steer me straight when I am off in left field.
They give me their experience, strength and AA love, enabling me to ‘pass it on’
to the alcoholic who still suffers.” 4
How do you become an AA group member?
“The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.”
(Tradition Three) Thus, group membership requires no formal application. Just as we are
members of AA if we say we are, so are we members of a group if we say we are–and
we keep coming back.4