24 Hour Helpline: 408-555-1212
Get help anytime, day or night, from A.A. volunteers.
24 Hour Helpline: 408-555-1212
Get help anytime, day or night, from A.A. volunteers.
AA members collaborate with professionals to support those struggling with alcoholism.
No one intentionally becomes an alcoholic. Historically, alcoholism was seen as a moral failing. Today, it’s more widely recognized as a health issue, a perspective that validates and understands the struggles of those affected. For those struggling with alcohol addiction, it remains a deeply personal challenge.
Within Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), members often seek answers to questions about their own experiences, fears, and hopes for recovery. The community within A.A. is built on empathy and understanding, viewing alcoholism as a progressive illness that can be managed but not cured. This illness involves both a physical sensitivity to alcohol and a mental obsession with drinking, which cannot be overcome by willpower alone.
Professionals in recovery often refer to A.A. as a peer support group or mutual aid society. While there are many terms used to describe alcohol addiction, “alcoholism” remains the most widely understood. A.A. provides a shared experience of recovery through its 12-step program, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among its members.
Many individuals struggling with alcoholism have found recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), often with the guidance of informed professionals.
A.A. and professionals who work with alcoholics share a common goal: to help individuals overcome alcoholism and lead fulfilling lives. A.A. members, drawing on their unique experiences with alcoholism, offer a perspective that is invaluable in supporting those in recovery.
A.A. has a long and established history of collaborating with various organizations. A.A. service committees, composed of experienced members, are available to provide information about A.A. to professionals or to meet with individuals seeking help with alcoholism.
For over 80 years, A.A. members have worked closely with doctors, healthcare providers, therapists, spiritual leaders, law enforcement, court officials, educators, social workers, counselors, and others who encounter individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.
Many individuals struggling with alcoholism have found recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), often with the guidance of informed professionals.
A common goal unites A.A. and professionals who work with alcoholics: to help individuals overcome alcoholism and lead fulfilling lives. A.A. members, drawing on their own experiences with alcoholism, offer valuable support and guidance to those in recovery. This shared mission, combined with the expertise and understanding that professionals bring, creates a powerful alliance in the fight against alcoholism.
A.A. has a long-standing history of working with professionals like you. A.A. service committees, comprised of members who can provide information about A.A. to professionals or meet with individuals seeking help with alcoholism, have been a trusted resource for over eight decades.
A.A. members have worked closely with doctors, healthcare providers, therapists, spiritual leaders, law enforcement, court officials, educators, social workers, counselors, and others who encounter individuals struggling with alcoholism for more than 80 years. This collaboration has proven beneficial, providing a comprehensive support system for individuals in recovery.
Who Joins A.A?
Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is a fellowship of individuals who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to recover from alcoholism.
The Core Purpose of A.A.
The primary purpose of AA is to help alcoholics achieve and sustain sobriety.
The A.A. Member
A.A. members are people who have recognized that they are powerless over alcohol. They have learned that they must abstain from alcohol to lead fulfilling lives. Millions of individuals have found freedom from alcohol through AA.
Diversity Within A.A.
Alcoholism affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or education level.
A.A.’s Stance on Alcohol
AA is not an anti-alcohol organization. Members are not concerned with alcohol policy or the consumption of alcohol by non-alcoholics. Anyone who is troubled by their drinking or the drinking of someone they care about is welcome to attend an open AA meeting.
The A.A. Member’s Commitment
AA members do not preach or proselytize. They share their experiences with others when asked. Recovered alcoholics understand that their sobriety depends on their ongoing connection with other members, adherence to their program of recovery, and helping others who are still struggling with alcoholism.
Alcoholics Anonymous is not an anonymous organization.
Members of AA protect their anonymity: to protect the AA organization, their professional and private lives, the lives of other alcoholics and most importantly, those seeking help with their drinking problem; the newcomer.
The A.A. Approach: A Self-Help Program
Non-Professional Nature of A.A.
Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is a self-help fellowship. It does not offer professional diagnoses. Instead, A.A. provides the tools and information necessary for individuals to recognize their drinking problem. Self-diagnosis is considered the first step toward recovery.
The Twelve-Step Program
The Twelve-Step program, outlined in the foundational text of A.A., emphasizes self-awareness and self-honesty. A crucial step involves acknowledging one's powerlessness over alcohol and accepting that one cannot control one's drinking.
As described in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous:
"We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control."
Maintaining Sobriety
For sustained sobriety, A.A. suggests a comprehensive approach that includes working the Twelve Steps, actively participating in the A.A. fellowship, and helping others who are struggling with alcoholism.
The Medical Perspective on Alcoholism
Many A.A. members view alcoholism as a chronic illness characterized by both physical and psychological factors. This perspective aligns with some medical opinions, which suggest that alcoholism is a complex condition that requires ongoing management.
As stated in A.A. as a Resource for the Health Care Professional:
"Many A.A. members feel that the illness represents a combination of a physical sensitivity to alcohol and a mental obsession with drinking, which, regardless of consequences, cannot be broken by willpower alone."
Alcoholics Anonymous is a self-supporting organization funded by voluntary contributions from its members.
The organization's financial independence allows it to remain autonomous and focus on providing support and resources to those seeking recovery from alcoholism.
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