Alcoholics Anonymous

9 Pages 2161 Words

e of Alcoholics Anonymous:
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 AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA 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 (AA Forum).

There are no dues or fee for members of Alcoholics Anonymous. A hat is passed at meetings for voluntary contributions used to offset the cost of rental for meeting places, coffee, etc. Income is raised from the sale of books and literature. An individual is allowed to, but not expected to contribute $2,000 a year. However, contributions are not accepted from non-members because the group strives to be fully self-supporting.
In 1946, in the Fellowship’s international journal, the A.A. Grapevine, these principles were reduced to writing by the founders and early members as the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. They were accepted and endorsed by the membership as a whole at the International Convention of A.A., at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1950 (Alcoholics Anonymous). These guidelines were created in order to ensure the success of the group. They can help especially because of the group’s informal structure.
Alcoholics Anonymous sets out to do three things:
1. A.A. members share their experience with anyone seeking help with a drinking problem; they give ...