About AA

Alcoholics Anonymous practices a singleness of purpose, and that is to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of people who experienced a problem with drinking. It is completely nonprofessional, informal, self-supported, apolitical, diverse, and worldwide. There is no requirement for AA membership and there are no dues or fees. Anyone who believes they may have an alcohol problem is free to join the fellowship. There are no forms to sign, no attendance to take, and no declarations of allegiance to be made.

“Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought AA membership ever depend on money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an AA group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.”

Third Tradition, Long Form, 1946

The Twelve Steps

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of alcoholics find and maintain sobriety. The Twelve Steps outline a plan of action, in 12 simple steps. These twelve steps are central to the suggested program of personal recovery and were first put to paper by the founding members of AA.

What do the Twelve Steps say?

The Twelve Traditions

The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous are the guiding principles that have allowed AA to pursue its singleness of purpose without controversy or problems of ego and power struggles. Many AAs have found the Twelve Traditions to be essential not only to their recovery, but to their daily lives as we strive to practice these principles in all our affairs.

What are the Traditions?