First, About Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to help themselves and others recover from alcoholism or other drug addictions.
It is a non-professional, that is to say, guidance from personal experience, not from formal training or credentials. It is a self-supporting, apolitical organization open to anyone wanting to stop drinking.
Here’s what AA is all about:
1 . Purpose
- AA’s primary purpose is to help members stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.
- It does not offer medical treatment or counselling, but many people use it alongside professional help.
2 . The 12 Steps
- At the core of AA is the 12-step program, a spiritual and personal development path that includes:
- Admitting powerlessness over alcohol.
- Taking a personal moral inventory.
- Making amends to those harmed.
- Seeking guidance from a “Higher Power” (which members define in their own way).
- Helping other alcoholics.
3 . Meetings
- AA meetings are held in-person or online and can be open (for anyone interested) or closed (for those who identify as alcoholics).
- Meetings provide a safe and supportive environment where people can speak honestly about their struggles and progress without fear of judgment.
4 . Anonymity
- Anonymity is a fundamental principle — it’s built into the name. Members do not share full names or personal details to protect privacy and create a non-judgmental space.
- This also keeps the focus on shared recovery, not personalities.
5 . No Cost or Obligation
- There are no dues or fees for AA membership. It is self-supporting through member contributions.
- Membership is open to anyone who wants to stop drinking, regardless of age, background, or belief system.
6 . Global Reach
- AA began in the U.S. in 1935 and has since grown into a worldwide movement, with meetings in almost every country, city and town.
7 . Not Affiliated
- AA is not connected to any religion, political group, or outside institution. While it encourages spiritual growth, it does not promote any particular belief system.
The 12 Steps of AA (Plain Language Version)
- Admit powerlessness over alcohol or other drugs — that life had become unmanageable.
- Believe in a Higher Power (as you understand it) that can help restore sanity.
- Decide to turn your will and life over to the care of that Higher Power.
- Take a searching and honest moral inventory of yourself.
- Admit to yourself, to your Higher Power, and to another person the exact nature of your wrongs.
- Be ready to let go of your character defects.
- Ask your Higher Power to remove those shortcomings.
- Make a list of people you harmed and be willing to make amends.
- Make direct amends to those people whenever possible — unless doing so would hurt them or others.
- Continue personal inventory and promptly admit when you’re wrong.
- Seek spiritual connection through prayer or meditation to understand and follow your Higher Power’s will.
- Help others recover by sharing your experience and living by these principles.
Duration of Participation
- As long as you need it. Many members continue attending AA meetings for years or even decades because it helps them stay sober, connected, and accountable.
- Some attend daily in early recovery, then reduce frequency over time — others continue going regularly for life.
- There’s no “graduation” from AA — it’s not a short-term program but a support system for ongoing recovery.
A Few Notes:
- The word “God” is used in many versions, but AA doesn’t require religious belief — many members interpret “Higher Power” in personal, non-religious ways.
- The steps are to be worked through gradually, often with the support of a sponsor (a more experienced member).
- Many people revisit the steps throughout their recovery journey.
Limitations and Considerations
AA doesn’t work for everyone. Some people prefer secular or professional alternatives.
Measuring effectiveness is tricky because:
- People self-select into AA (not randomized).
- Outcomes often rely on self-reported sobriety.
- Some people may benefit more from medically supervised or therapy-based programs in early recovery, especially if they have co-occurring disorders.
The above information and steps of the AA method to stay sober have worked for many thousands of people. It has stayed the course since 1935; therefore, one can assume it has a certain effectiveness.
Yet, in our current day and age, when spirituality is not at its highest, many find it difficult to look at a ‘higher power’. There are those individuals who prefer to focus on their own destiny and self-determination to gain control and learn to live a sober, substance-free lifestyle. For further information on AA or to find a meeting place, click here.
If the above is not for you, or you would like to know more about private treatments and referral services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
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