AA Frequently Asked Questions

"AA" stands for Alcoholics Anonymous, a worldwide community that helps those who are trying to overcome alcohol addiction or other difficulties associated with alcohol. It’s a fellowship where members share their experiences, strengths, and hopes to remain sober and solve common issues. AA emphasizes anonymity to provide a safe and supportive atmosphere, allowing individuals to focus on their recovery without fear of judgment or ridicule. The core of AA is the famous 12-step program, which guides members through personal reflection, apology, and spiritual growth to achieve and maintain sobriety.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is centered around a set of principles that encourage individuals to recover from alcoholism. This is primarily achieved through attending meetings and following a 12-step program. Here’s what you need to know:

• Group Gatherings: These meetings are the core of AA, where members come together to share their experiences and provide support. They can be open to the public or closed to members.
• The 12 Steps: These spiritual guidelines help members address and deal with their alcoholism by focusing on responsibility and spiritual development.
• Confidentiality: An important aspect that creates a nonjudgmental space for members to concentrate on their recovery journey without external interference.
• Mentorship: Seasoned members, referred to as sponsors, offer guidance and personal assistance to newcomers as they navigate through the process of recovery.
• Community Involvement: AA provides written materials such as the “Big Book,” which outlines the program’s beliefs and recounts member experiences. Active involvement in community service roles also contributes to recovery journeys.

AA aims to assist individuals in attaining sobriety and sustaining it, ultimately leading them towards a satisfying life.

Indeed, you are most welcome to the open AA meetings even if you feel that you are not an alcoholic. Open meetings are always a good place for someone who is curious about Alcoholics Anonymous, whether it’s about a friend, a family member, or simply wanting to know more about the program. At such meetings, you can hear others share their stories and journeys, providing valuable insights into how AA helps individuals deal with and recover from alcohol-related issues. There are also closed meetings where only people who have quit drinking and want to do it again attend. Therefore, if you’d like to grasp more about alcohol recovery or perhaps support someone, attending an open AA meeting could be very enlightening.

The principle of anonymity is fundamental to Alcoholics Anonymous and is one of the most important features defining how the group operates. It serves several key purposes:

• Safety and Privacy: Anonymity allows members to freely disclose their experiences, strengths, and hopes without the fear of being judged or exposed. This safe space fosters candidness and openness, which are essential for recovery.
• Equality: Anonymity ensures that all members are on equal footing, regardless of their background, social status, or profession. The focus remains on the common goal of recovery, not on individual personalities.
• Focus on the Message: Anonymity ensures that the AA message is the focal point rather than any individual member. This emphasizes that the program’s success is determined by mutual support rather than the status or personality of any single member.

This principle is so central to AA that it is incorporated into the name “Alcoholics Anonymous” and is part of the Twelfth Tradition, which states that anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all their traditions. It promotes humility and ensures that the group’s values and mission are not compromised.

The “Big Book” is the informal name for the primary text of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), officially titled “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism.” It was published in 1939 and authored by AA co-founder Bill Wilson, along with contributions from the first members of the group.

The Big Book serves several key purposes:

• Guide to the 12 Steps: It outlines the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as a way to guide recovering alcoholics through the process of dealing with their problems. The steps are designed to help individuals remain sober, improve their personal lives, and achieve spiritual growth.
• Personal Stories: The book contains numerous personal stories of men and women who have struggled with alcoholism. These narratives are meant to motivate, provide hope, and demonstrate that recovery is possible through shared experiences and mutual support.
• Philosophy and Practices: It articulates the basic philosophy of AA and provides insights into the nature of alcoholism and the recovery process. This includes practical guidance and suggestions on how to navigate different areas of life while facing addiction.

In the AA community, the Big Book is regarded as a crucial tool for everyone involved with AA or seeking help with their alcohol problems. It has been translated into many languages and is used worldwide, making it one of the most important texts in the field of addiction recovery. Its messages of hope, strength, and community remain foundational for many individuals striving for sobriety.

AA doesn’t align with any specific religion, but it is spiritual in nature. The Alcoholics Anonymous program encourages members to introspect and believe in a “higher power” as part of their recovery process. This concept of a higher power is broad and can be interpreted in various ways, allowing AA members from different religious backgrounds or those without any religious beliefs to find comfort and meaning within the AA framework.

Prayers like the Serenity Prayer in meetings emphasize the spiritual aspect of recovery without adhering to any particular religious doctrine. Members are encouraged to understand their higher power in a way that makes sense to them—whether it’s a traditional religious figure, the collective strength of the group, or personal ideals.

This inclusive approach ensures that everyone feels welcome, and the primary focus remains on overcoming alcohol dependence and supporting each other, regardless of individual religious beliefs.

The central ideas of AA were originally based on Christianity and its influence is apparent in many AA meetings today. However, alternative versions of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have been used for years. Some of them are much more secular than others. In addition, more than a few adaptations have been made for those who are addicted to things other than alcohol.

In short, however, it is not necessary to be religious in order to attend AA meetings. This is true even if the meeting in question utilizes the original 12 Steps of AA with its Christian underpinnings. Religious language will be used, but it can be contextualized and the 12 steps can be of benefit nonetheless. As stated in the 12 Traditions of AA, a desire for sobriety is the only requirement for membership in AA.

The 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous states that the only requirement for AA membership is a desire to be sober. Belief in a supreme being is not required. Belief in a higher power is fundamental to AA's approach in dealing with addiction, but the higher power can be whatever you think it is. It can be conceptualized however you like.

If some AA groups are still too religious for your liking, there are other options. The original 12 Step Program was built on the basis of an overarching Christian worldview, but many versions of the 12 Steps of AA are available today. Some of them are much more secular in comparison.

Yes, AA’s 12 Steps are the cornerstone of the program, guiding members through the recovery process. Here’s a summary of each step:

• Step 1: Recognizing that alcohol had made our lives unmanageable and admitting the need for help.
• Step 2: Believing that a higher power can restore us to sanity and provide guidance.
• Step 3: Becoming willing to give up our own way and to submit to the care of God as we understood Him.
• Step 4: Taking an inventory of ourselves, which is thorough and fearless on the moral side.
• Step 5: Making confessions to God, ourselves, and another human being about the complete nature of our wrongs.
• Step 6: Being willing to have God remove all these shortcomings of our character.
• Step 7: Humbly asking Him to remove our defects.
• Step 8: Making a list of all the persons we have wronged and being willing to make amends to them all.
• Step 9: Making direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
• Step 10: Continuing to take personal inventory and promptly admitting when we are wrong.
• Step 11: Seeking through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
• Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

These steps are designed not only to help individuals reduce drinking but also to foster personal growth, make amends, and build a strong spiritual life. They provide a structured path for overcoming addiction and achieving self-improvement, which many have found to be life-changing.

Alcoholism can entail a certain sense of self-delusion, causing you to think that you are in control. It can also cause problems in your personal life; relationships are negatively affected. Requiring strict self-honesty, the 12 Steps of AA can help you face reality so that you can do something about it. Instead of thinking that you are in control, you are forced to admit that your alcoholism controls you. A higher power — one that is in accordance with your own, personal belief system — gives you hope and strength to overcome because it is more powerful than your alcoholism. You are not. Accountability is provided with the help of a sponsor and, with past errors examined, amends are made where they need to be made. In essence, you are enabled to live a new life and you are held accountable to that new life by others in the fellowship.

The 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous provide structure for groups, while the 12 steps of AA guide personal recovery. Together, they create a framework for healing and growth.

For example, 12 and 12 Step 1 teaches individuals to admit powerlessness over alcohol, while Step 2 Twelve and Twelve focuses on finding spiritual strength. The process includes creating a human being the exact nature of personal shortcomings, addressing these flaws, and achieving a spiritual awakening through prayer and meditation.

The AA Twelve Steps PDF helps members organize their recovery journey, while tools like the 12 and 12 Step 2 PDF provide deeper insights into specific steps. This framework is part of why AA remains one of the most effective 12 step programs list.

In short, the answer is yes. The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous must be adhered to. Each of them has a purpose and they are essentially a package deal. Alcoholism is no joke; the 12 Steps of AA are there to help you stay sober. If you need help, direction, or encouragement as you seek to complete them, others (e.g., a sponsor) are able and willing to help. If some of them are too religious for your liking, they can be conceptualized in accordance with your own beliefs and their underlying principles can be of benefit.

Please keep in mind that membership in AA is free; monetary contribution is not required. As stated in the 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, the only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. And if sober living is your goal, completing the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous should not be a problem!

A sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous is someone in an AA group who has been sober for some time — generally more than a year — and is able to keep you accountable. They can guide you through the 12 Steps of AA and be a source of support and encouragement. With a solid understanding of AA and its principles, a sponsor has demonstrated success in their own battle against alcoholism and can lead by example. They embody the sort of servant leadership that is talked about in the 12 Traditions of AA, and as a result, they can effectively impart the knowledge and wisdom you need in order to stay sober.

There are no official rules for sponsorship and you are free to choose your own sponsor. It should be someone you are comfortable talking to. You can even switch sponsors if the one you have is not a good fit for you, but you need to make sure that it is someone who can help you in your journey. A sponsor should be patient, understanding, and empathetic as well as knowledgeable and experienced in the battle against alcoholism. They should be able to guide you through AA and hold you accountable.

From Alcoholics Anonymous’ (AA) perspective, the definition of alcoholism is inclusive and understanding. AA does not have a formal or scientific definition of alcoholism but generally considers it a physical craving and a mental compulsion to drink alcohol. This means that individuals can still drink even when the consequences are negative, experiencing a sense of loss of control once they start and obsessing about alcohol when not drinking.

AA takes a more personal approach by encouraging individuals to name their own problems with alcohol instead of enforcing a diagnosis. The acceptance and non-judgmental attitude of the community allow people to come forward and confess their addiction to alcohol in their own way. The emphasis is placed on exchanging personal experiences and finding commonalities in the issues members face, rather than classifying everyone according to a specific diagnostic category. This approach helps participants feel connected and supported in their journey towards sobriety.

Yes, prayers are a part of AA meetings and hold a special place in AA’s tradition. The Serenity Prayer is widely known within the AA community and is often recited at the beginning or end of meetings. It goes like this:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.”

These words embody the spirit of AA, helping individuals find peace in acceptance, strength in action, and the insight to navigate their recovery. Additionally, some meetings may conclude with the Lord’s Prayer or other spiritual sayings based on the group’s preference. The purpose of prayer is to provide peace and unify members in spiritual support, fostering the communal and hopeful spirit of AA. However, it’s important to note that AA is not a religious organization. It’s a spiritual movement that welcomes individuals of all beliefs and backgrounds, ensuring that prayers serve to create a sense of togetherness and support rather than promote any specific religious viewpoint.