The SoberLady has included this piece as it is a simplified explanation of the Traditions of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Tradition One.  Unity is the most precious thing we have.  Without unity we die.  This tradition asks us to make personal sacrifices for the good of the whole.  These sacrifices are found in The next eleven traditions.  These are the things we and our groups do to insure that UNITY will be maintained at all costs!

Tradition Two.  We are asked to sacrifice being number one; being the best, being the boss.  The ultimate authority is a loving God as He expresses Himself through each one of us as the group conscience. Alcoholics Anonymous will not tolerate human authority.  We do not govern, we serve.

Tradition Three.  We sacrifice all membership qualifications except one: a desire to stop drinking.  We have no social class, no financial standing, no color, no sex, and no background requirements. We are not people who would generally mix, but we have a common problem and a wonderful common solution. That is all we have and all we do!

Tradition Four.  Once again we are asked to make sacrifices if the whole of Alcoholics Anonymous  is threatened.  Otherwise the group can govern itself. The group must adhere to certain principles, as must the individual, if both are to survive.

Tradition Five.  As with Tradition Three, once again all sacrifices are made to protect the primary purpose of the Group: carrying the message to alcoholics who still suffer.  It is the only thing in which we are experienced.

Tradition Six.  We sacrifice any endorsement or affiliation with any other entity, no matter how noble or worthy it may be.  We cooperate with practically everybody, yet we decline to connect our society to anyone. We lend the name of Alcoholics Anonymous to no one, instead we sacrifice our human instincts for money, property, and prestige. By doing this we maintain our primary purpose of carrying the message of recovery to alcoholics.

Tradition Seven.  We sacrifice charitable monies, donations, or contributions from outside sources and instead pay our own way.  We are self-supporting so that we can always govern ourselves and call our own destiny.  We limit donations to $1,000 from our own members so that individuals in the fellowship will not become a power from within our structure.

Tradition Eight.  We sacrifice professionalism.  We do not charge money for our services.  We sacrifice the idea of making money on this gift we've been given.  We give it away for free and for fun!

Tradition Nine.  We sacrifice rules and regulations.  But out of this comes a divine order that reaches beyond understanding.  We deny ourselves personal government.  Groups and Committees can not issue directives.  All groups and Committees are responsible to those they serve: US!

Tradition Ten.  We abstain from all public controversy and will not quarrel among ourselves abut those things that so often rip  a society apart: religion, politics, and reform.  Therefore, the Alcoholics Anonymous name does not get drawn into public controversy. We sacrifice our opinions.  We just involve ourselves in recovery.

Tradition Eleven.  We sacrifice getting on our "soapbox" about Alcoholics Anonymous and shouting our stories to the world at the level of press, broadcast, and film (including radio and television). We are anonymous, nameless, and faceless.  Anonymity at this level saves us from those who would use Alcoholics Anonymous for personal gain.  It keeps us all equal.  We have no superiors, no inferiors, no advisor, and no spokesperson for Alcoholics Anonymous  Instead we have a promise of protection and privacy to all.  This represents a great sacrifice to many alcoholics who would like to shout their stories to the world.  Our track record speaks for itself!

Tradition Twelve.  In Bill's last message, he states that he believes that the "Concept of anonymity" is most responsible for our blessings.  The spiritual substance is sacrifice, placing principles before personalities. We give without thinking of return.  We do something because it is the right thing to do.  We sacrifice our natural desires for personal distinction as Alcoholics Anonymous members both among fellow alcoholics and before the general public. Our leadership is transitory and rotating.  This sacrifice is difficult for many.  We let others express opinions and realize that their opinions are worthy of our consideration.  We try not to judge others.  We try to trust one another.

THE PROMISES OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION

If we are casual with this phase of our development, we will be drunk before we are halfway through.

We are going to know a new imprisonment and a new misery.

We will relive the past and won't be able to shut the door on it.

We will comprehend the word CONFLICT and we will know PAIN.

No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we'll sink even lower.

That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will deepen.

We will gain interest in selfish things and lose interest in our fellows.

Self esteem will slip away.

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will SUCK.

Fear of people, and of economic insecurity will multiply.

We will intuitively know how to run from situations which never used to bother us.

We will suddenly realize that God would never have done to us what we are doing to ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not! They are being fulfilled among those of us who are still drinking and/or drugging --sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.

They will ALWAYS materialize, IF WE DRINK FOR THEM. Guaranteed.