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What
is A. A.?
Alcoholics
Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks
of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety. The only requirement
for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A. A.
membership.
Current
Membership
It
is estimated that there are approximately 89,000 groups and more than 2,000,000
members in 146 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. Within the Fellowship, the amount that may be contributed by
any individual member is limited to $3,000 a year.
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
Alcoholics 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 the 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. These usually consist of talks by a leader and
two or three speakers who share experience as it relates to their alcoholism and
their recovery in A.A. Some meetings are held for the specific purpose of
informing the non-alcoholic 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.
How
You Can Find A.A. In Your Town
Look
for "Alcoholics Anonymous" in any telephone directory. In most urban areas, a
central A.A. office, or "intergroup," staffed mainly by volunteer A.A.s, will be
happy to answer your questions and/or put you in touch with those who can.
What
A.A. Does Not Do
A.A.
does not: Keep membership records or case histories...engage in or support
research...join "Councils" or 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 psychiatric prognoses or dispense medicines or
psychiatric advice...provide drying-out or nursing services or
sanitariums...offer religious services...provide housing, food, clothing, jobs,
money, or other welfare or social services...provide domestic or vocational
counseling...provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court
officials, social agencies, employers, etc.
Reprinted with permission, A.A. World
Services Inc.
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