What is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcohol abuse.
AA group meetings are not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; they neither endorse nor oppose any causes. The primary purpose of AA is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.
Alcoholic Anonymous: A Brief History
The history of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) began in the early 1930s when two men, Bill Wilson, and Dr. Bob Smith, met in Akron, Ohio. They developed a program of recovery from alcoholism that included a set of twelve steps and a spiritual component. The AA program quickly spread throughout the United States and Canada, eventually reaching other countries.
In 1935, AA published its famous book, Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism. This book contains the stories of AA members who have recovered from alcoholism and describes the AA program. The book has sold over 30 million copies and has been translated into several languages.
AA membership grew rapidly in the early years, with groups forming in cities across North America and Europe. In 1939, AA held its first international conference in Canada. Today, AA groups are found in over 180 countries worldwide to overcome drug addiction.
Many other organizations have adopted the twelve steps of AA, including Al-Anon (for family and friends of alcoholics), Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, and Sex Addicts Anonymous.
What is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from substance abuse.
AA program has one primary purpose: to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.
You can use the 12 Steps of AA as your program of recovery. The 12 Traditions help you function as a group. By working the Steps and practicing the traditions, you can experience the new freedom and happiness that comes with sobriety.
Who are AA Members?
There are no dues or fees for membership in AA meetings. An AA member is an individual group with a drinking problem which has decided to do something about it. We welcome anyone who wants to stop drinking regardless of how long they have been sober.
We are a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope that we may solve our common problem and help others recover from alcohol use disorder.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our contributions.
What AA Does and How Does It Work?
As an AA Group member, you can share your personal stories and experiences to provide hope to other members. Participants learn that substance abuse is a common problem and can be overcome through support groups.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no requirements for fees for AA membership. AA Steps of recovery are held in more than 170 countries worldwide. These meetings allow sharing of personal experiences, strengths and hope with others facing similar difficulties. The fellowship that develops among AA members can provide great comfort and support.
Services of AA.
The Alcoholics Anonymous program provides a variety of services to its members. These services include group meetings, individual counseling, and support groups. AA also offers resources to its members, such as books, pamphlets, and websites.
AA is a self-help program that helps individuals recover from alcoholism. The program focuses on assisting individuals in developing healthy habits and relationships. AA has based on the premise that alcoholism is a disease, not a moral failing.
Members attend group meetings twice a week. During these meetings, they discuss their problems and share resources. Members are also encouraged to participate in individual counseling and support groups. These AA groups provide additional support and allow members to share their experiences with others who also suffer from alcoholism.
AA has been successful in helping many individuals overcome their addiction to alcohol. The program provides a variety of services that can help members recover from their problems.
How Can I Find a Meeting?
If you think you have a drinking problem, we encourage you to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting. At an AA meeting, you will be welcomed by a group of friendly people who are also struggling with alcohol addiction. You will share your stories, listen to others’ experiences, and support one another.
Finding an AA meeting is easy. You can visit the AA website and use the “Find a Meeting” tool. Enter your location, and the tool will list nearby meetings. You can also find meetings in your area online or ask friends or family members if they know of any AA groups.
12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous
The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are a set of guiding principles for people in recovery from alcoholism. They are a spiritual program that helps people live their lives in a way that benefits themselves and others.
The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are a set of guiding principles for recovery from alcoholism. They are:
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. We decided to turn our will and lives over to God’s care as we understood Him.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We were ready to have God remove all these character defects.
7. We humbly asked Him to do so.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.”
11.”We 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.”
12.”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 alcoholic groups.
How Can AA be Helpful for You?
If you are struggling with alcoholism, AA can be a helpful resource. Here are some ways that AA can help you:
AA Can Provide Support and Understanding
If you are struggling with alcoholism, having a support system in place can be helpful. AA can provide you with understanding and support from people who have been in your shoes. This can be a valuable resource as you work to recover from alcoholism.
AA Can Help You Stay Accountable
One of the critical components of recovery is accountability. AA can help you stay accountable for your sobriety by providing regular check-ins and meetings. This accountability can help prevent relapse and keep you on track with your recovery goals.
AA Can Offer Guidance and Wisdom
The members of AA have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share. If you seek guidance in your recovery, AA members can offer wisdom and advice based on their journey. This guidance can be invaluable as you navigate your way to sobriety.