A.A.  AT  A  GLANCE

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 as of 1 January 2011 that there are approximately 107,976 groups and more than 2,057,672 members in 150 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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