The timeless story of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon - how it began and the principles that continue to guide recovery
The story begins with a simple yet profound realization: one alcoholic helping another forms the foundation of recovery. What started as a conversation between two desperate men would grow into a worldwide fellowship that has helped millions find sobriety.
The early members discovered something remarkable - that by sharing their experience, strength, and hope with others who suffered from the same illness, they could stay sober themselves. This mutual aid became the cornerstone of a program that would prove more effective than anything that had come before.
From these humble beginnings emerged the Twelve Steps - a spiritual program of recovery that addresses not just the drinking, but the underlying causes and conditions that lead to alcoholism. These steps provide a framework for complete personality change and spiritual awakening.
Al-Anon grew from the same principles, recognizing that the families and friends of alcoholics needed their own path to healing. Built on the same spiritual foundation, Al-Anon provides hope and healing for those affected by someone else's drinking.
The spiritual principles that guide personal transformation and lasting sobriety
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics.
The principles that ensure unity and preserve the fellowship for future generations
Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
No A.A. group or member should ever endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
A.A. groups ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
From that first conversation between two alcoholics, a worldwide fellowship has grown. The message remains unchanged: recovery is possible, one day at a time, through the support of others who understand the journey.
"When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible."