A Brief Guide to Alcoholics Anonymous Continental European Region secretary.cer@aamail.org

Lots of questions… What is AA? How does AA help the alcoholic? What are AA meetings? What are the types of AA meetings? Who is an AA member? How much does AA cost? Who runs AA? What services does AA offer? How is AA Structured? What does AA not do? What about problems other than alcohol? Why are we anonymous?

What is AA? Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide informal fellowship of men and women who help each other to stay sober Offers help to anyone who has a drinking problem, and wants to do something about it We are not experts, however we have a special understanding of each other – since we know the experience of being alcoholics ourselves We understand alcoholism as an illness – a mental obsession coupled with a physical allergy (craving)

What is AA? AA members say they are alcoholics, even when we have not had a drink for many years We have lost the ability to control our drinking, and we can never become “former alcoholics” or “ex- alcoholics” In AA, we do not say we are “cured”, instead we can become “sober alcoholics” or “recovered alcoholics”

How does AA help the alcoholic? Through the example and friendship of recovered alcoholics in AA, new members are encouraged to stay sober and live life “one day at a time” AA’s “Twelve Steps” are suggested as a program of recovery These steps contain ideas and actions which can guide alcoholics toward happy and useful lives

What are AA Meetings? Alcoholics Anonymous globally is made up of over 2,200,000 members in 100,000 groups in over 150 countries In Great Britain and Continental Europe there are currently 4,500 English-speaking groups Each group has one primary purpose – that of carrying its message to the still suffering alcoholic Members usually meet together once or twice a week, in either of the three main types of meetings:

What are the types of AA Meetings? “Open” - is intended for alcoholics and non- alcoholics e.g. family, friends and anyone interested in AA. “Closed” – is intended for alcoholics and for those with an alcohol problem who have a desire to stop drinking. “Online” - is one which meets through electronic media, not in a physical place. It may be 'open' or 'closed'.

Who is an AA member? Alcoholics are members if they say they are The only requirement for membership is a “desire to stop drinking” Like other illnesses, alcoholism affects all sorts of people: Men and women Old and young Rich and poor Different races and nationalities All religions, and no religion All occupations; lawyers, housewives, truck drivers, waitresses…

How much does AA cost? It’s free! There are no dues or fees for membership We are self-supporting through our own contributions (Tradition 7) AA expenses include; meeting room rent, tea & coffee, literature… Groups may donate excess funds to the General Service Office AA members are never paid for AA service work – their reward is their own sobriety!

Who runs AA? AA has no central authority We appreciate how money, property and prestige can cause us issues We are guided by our “Twelve Traditions” Each group is autonomous (Tradition 4) Our leaders are trusted servants, they do not govern (Tradition 2) We may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve (Tradition 9) AA has no opinion on outside issues (Tradition 10)

What services does AA offer? AA has volunteer members who co-operate with: Health Service Providers Prisons, Probation, Courts & Social Services The Armed Services Employment AA also offers the following services: Public Information Telephone Helpline Electronic Communications Literature

How is AA Structured?

What does AA not do? AA does not run membership drives to try and persuade alcoholics into joining AA does not check up on its members to see that they don’t drink. It helps alcoholics to help themselves AA is not a religious organisation. All members are free to decide on their own personal ideas AA is not a medical organisation, does not give out medicines or psychiatric advice

What does AA not do? AA does not run any hospitals, wards, or treatment centres or provide nursing services AA is not connected with any other organisation. But AA does co-operate with organisations that fight alcoholism. Some members work for such organisations – as individuals – not as representatives of AA AA does not accept money from sources outside AA, either private or government

What does AA not do? AA does not offer any social services, does not provide housing, food, clothing, jobs, or money. It helps alcoholics stay sober, so they can earn these things for themselves AA does not provide letters of reference to courts, social services, employers, etc.

What about problems other than alcohol? Some professionals refer to alcoholism and drug addiction as "substance abuse" or "chemical dependency.“ Non-alcoholics are therefore sometimes encouraged to attend AA meetings. However, AA needs to keep to its “singleness of purpose” i.e. that of one alcoholic helping another. We cannot take on all the problems of the world – we lose our effectiveness if we do. There are many other fellowships that utilise AA’s Twelve Steps recovery program. However AA is not affiliated with, nor endorses them. Refer to the AA pamphlet “Problems other than Alcohol”

Why Anonymity? Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of AA. It disciplines the Fellowship to govern itself by principles rather than personalities (Tradition 12). AA members’ full names and faces are not used on TV, radio or in newspapers (Tradition 11). Members do not disclose other members’ names to people outside of AA. However, members are not ashamed of belonging to AA – we want to encourage more alcoholics to come to AA for help. Refer to the AA pamphlet “Understanding Anonymity”

More information Meeting lists are available online: www.alcoholics-anonymous.eu (Continental Europe) We have a large selection of literature including the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” and many AA pamphlets for specific needs – refer online www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Or write to: AA General Service Office, PO Box 1, 10 Toft Green, York, YO1 7NJ, Great Britain

AA Preamble 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 A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. 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 to achieve sobriety. Copyright © The AA Grapevine, Inc.

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