ABOUT A.A.

The beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous dates to 1935 when a newly sober New York stockbroker, Bill W., met an Akron surgeon, Dr. Bob, whose life was disintegrating due to alcoholism. Bill wrote in "Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age" (p. 70): "... our talk was a completely mutual thing. I had quit preaching. I knew that I needed this alcoholic as much as he needed me. **This was it.** And this mutual give-and-take is at the very heart of all of A.A.'s ... work today. This was how to carry the message. The final missing link was located right there in my first talk with Dr. Bob. ..."

Four years later, the new fellowship had grown to over 100 members, and the first edition of the book "Alcoholics Anonymous," also known as "The Big Book," was published. Recent estimates indicate that there are more than two million A.A. members in over 150 countries (source: 2004 Final Report, 54th Annual Meeting of the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous).

The following, often called the "A.A. Preamble," is an overview of Alcoholics Anonymous (copyright © The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.; reprinted with permission):

"Alcoholics Anonymous 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 alcoholism. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety."


WHAT A.A. DOES NOT DO
(copyright © A.A. World Services, Inc.; reprinted with permission):

1. Recruit members or furnish initial motivation for alcoholics to recover.

2. Keep membership records or case histories.

3. Follow up or try to control its members.

4. Make medical or psychological diagnoses or prognoses.

5. Provide hospitalization, drugs, or medical or psychiatric treatment.

6. Provide housing, food, clothing, jobs, money or other such services.

7. Provide domestic or vocational counseling.

8. Engage in or sponsor research.

9. Affiliate with social agencies (though many members and service offices do cooperate with them).

10. Offer religious services.

11. Engage in any controversy about alcohol or other matters.

12. Accept money for its services or contributions from non-A.A. sources.

13. Provide letters of reference to parole boards, attorneys, court officials, schools, businesses,  social agencies, or any other organization or institution.


QUESTIONS?

At any time, including right now, feel free to ask questions -- on anything related to A.A.

To "talk" during the meeting, simply address your email to aaintro@e-aa.org. Everyone in the meeting (on the mailing list) will receive it.

Note that when you send an email to the list, your email address will be available to everyone on the list. If, for any reason, you are uncomfortable with that, you may still participate anonymously. Send your questions or comments directly to me at [leader's email address] and I will remove your identifying information and forward them to the meeting list.

Any personal information shared here should remain confidential and should not be disclosed outside of this meeting.