Alcoholics Anonymous Presentation South East Anglia Intergroup Network Forum 13 June 2017 statement about anonymity: There may be some here who are not familiar with our Tradition of personal anonymity at the public level: “Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, [TV,] and films.” Thus we respectfully ask that no A.A. speaker – or, indeed, any A.A. member – be identified by full name in published or broadcast reports of our meetings. The assurance of anonymity is essential in our effort to help problem drinkers who may wish to share our recovery program with us. And our Tradition of anonymity reminds us in AA that principles come before personalities. AA and Alcoholism: Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship of men and women who help each other maintain sobriety and who offer to share their recovery experience freely with others who may have a drinking problem. The program AA suggests consists basically of 12 Steps designed for personal recovery from alcoholism. The Fellowship today is in approximately 180 countries. Several hundred thousand alcoholics have achieved sobriety in AA. 1

Purpose of this presentation: To provide information about AA Brief history What we are What we are not What our purpose is statement about anonymity: There may be some here who are not familiar with our Tradition of personal anonymity at the public level: “Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, [TV,] and films.” Thus we respectfully ask that no A.A. speaker – or, indeed, any A.A. member – be identified by full name in published or broadcast reports of our meetings. The assurance of anonymity is essential in our effort to help problem drinkers who may wish to share our recovery program with us. And our Tradition of anonymity reminds us in AA that principles come before personalities. AA and Alcoholism: Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship of men and women who help each other maintain sobriety and who offer to share their recovery experience freely with others who may have a drinking problem. The program AA suggests consists basically of 12 Steps designed for personal recovery from alcoholism. The Fellowship today is in approximately 180 countries. Several hundred thousand alcoholics have achieved sobriety in AA. 2

A Brief History of Alcoholics Anonymous Founded 10th June 1935 in USA by two alcoholics - Bill W & Dr. Bob Roots in an evangelical Christian organisation – the Oxford group Name Alcoholics Anonymous came from the “Big Book” published in 1939 (This is our “Basic Text” on how to recover from alcoholism).

Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution: does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics recover from alcoholism.

Our Fellowships Friends Alcoholics Anonymous Our Fellowships Friends Carl Jung to Rowland H – 1931 “You have the mind of a chronic alcoholic & a hopeless condition. I have never seen one single case recover. Only exceptions are alcoholics who have a vital spiritual experience.” Dr William Silkworth MD – 1937 (who treated 50,000 alcoholics) “Unless the alcoholic can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of their recovery.”

AA’s 12 Step Program is designed to: Alcoholics Anonymous AA’s 12 Step Program is designed to: Take away the obsession & compulsion to drink Create a psychic change/spiritual experience Create a new way of thinking Create a new way of life

Alcoholics Anonymous wants to work with you. 7

Alcoholics Anonymous How Can AA Work With You? Arrange AA talks for your colleagues and alcoholic clients Display AA posters & literature at your workplace Include AA’s details in your literature If appropriate suggest to your alcoholic clients that they ring AA’s helpline 0800 917 7650

Any Questions?