Attendees do not need to do anything at a meeting other than be respectful of others in attendance. Halfway house Nobody is forced to share, donate money, or participate in prayers. According to Alcoholics Anonymous, their success rate is 50 percent, with 25 percent of members remaining sober after relapsing. Each AA program has guidelines for who counts as a member, and meetings are usually closed unless otherwise stated. Only people who have a drinking problem are eligible to join AA.
Principles of Alcoholics Anonymous
- There are no membership fees, referrals, or formal requirements.
- 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.
- You define your own higher power—whether that’s God, nature, or the strength of the group.
- By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use.
This community-driven approach fosters a sense of belonging that is both comforting and crucial for those recovering from the grips of alcohol addiction. AA uses a 12-step program to help alcoholics recover from alcoholism and maintain sobriety. These steps involve a spiritual journey of self-discovery. At Boardwalk Recovery Center, our treatment is holistic and includes the opportunity to collaborate with local A.A. This often includes “working the 12 steps” with a supportive sponsor.
- It outlines how to find support from God and others so that members can begin rebuilding their lives.
- As such, step calls provide an invaluable resource in helping individuals sustain their sobriety.
- If you are looking for a short write-up of the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, start here.
Free Download: Printable 12 Steps of AA
Before they are exposed to A.A., many alcoholics who are unable to stop drinking think of themselves as morally weak or, possibly, mentally unbalanced. Concept is that alcoholics are sick people who can recover if they follow a simple program that has proved successful for more than two what is aa million people. Once alcoholism has set in, there is nothing morally wrong about being ill. At this stage, free will is not involved, because the sufferer has lost the power of choice over alcohol.
Bill W.’s 1955 Reminder: AA Must Stay True to Its Single Purpose
Others stay sober for a few months or years and keep coming back to the program to start over. The main function of a sponsor is to guide the newcomer through the steps and be there when one struggles with the new way of living that newcomers generally don’t have a clue about. Having a person to share the recovery journey with is priceless, as this relationship often leads to freedom from active addiction and maintenance of sobriety. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide organization designed to help former alcoholics support one another throughout their recovery journey while maintaining their sobriety.
