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 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 is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is an international mutual aid movement declaring its \"primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.\" Now claiming more than 2 million members, A.A. was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith (Bill W. and Dr. Bob) in Akron, Ohio. With other early members Wilson and Smith developed A.A.'s Twelve Step program of spiritual and character development.
A.A.'s Twelve Traditions were introduced in 1946 to help A.A. stay unified and grow. The Traditions recommend that members and groups remain anonymous in public media, altruistically help other alcoholics and include all who wish to stop drinking.
A.A. is non-professional — it doesn't have clinics, doctors, counsellors or psychologists. All members are themselves recovering from alcoholism. There is no central authority controlling how A.A. groups operate. A.A. is not a religious organisation nor is it affiliated with any religious body. It welcomes members of all religions, agnostics and atheists alike.