Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women that come together to share their experience, strength and hope for recovery with one another. They do their best to solve their alcohol addiction problem together and to help others who also suffer from alcohol addiction to find the strength to recovery. Realizing that strength can be found in numbers, Alcoholics Anonymous groups have formed to provide support and guidance to one another for the benefit of all of those involved.
There is no requirement for AA except to have a desire to quit drinking. Most Alcoholics Anonymous groups are either open or closed. Open groups are those which are open to all of the public including those who still do drink as well as those who have been sober for a period of time. Closed groups are only for those who are alcoholics who wish to quit drinking or who are in recovery.
The groups are self-supporting through contributions from members. While there is no formal requirement for those who participate in AA groups to provide contributions, there is typically an offering accepted at each group to help fund the program. There is no denomination, there are no politics, and AA is not an organization or institution that engages in any controversy. Causes are not opposed nor are they endorsed. The primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous is to focus on sobriety and on helping other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
The Alcoholics Anonymous program is founded on the principles of twelve-steps that are outlined very clearly here. Each step focuses on helping the addict to move closer to recovery from addiction and towards helping others to achieve sobriety as well. Those who suffer from alcohol addiction can receive encouragement, peer support and friendship in AA that helps them to stay on the right track to sobriety and to get well.
New members in AA are encouraged to stay away from a drink and to take sobriety one day at a time. Instead of swearing never to drink again, or instead of worrying about what the future looks like, those in AA recovery programs are concentrated on not drinking today. As time goes on, the thought process is straightened out and the recovering alcoholic will be able to take action against the negative impacts that alcohol has had on their lives. This all takes place with the help of a sponsor who provides support and guidance along the way.
Alcoholics Anonymous groups get together at least once or twice per week and some meet daily. The groups have been established in more than 180 countries worldwide helping millions of people who suffer from alcohol addiction. We can help you find a local Alcoholics Anonymous support group in your town.
