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What is Alcoholics Anonymous?
[From “What is A.A.?” on AA.org]
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.
A.A.’s primary purpose is to help alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
What Do I Do Now?
Go to Meetings
A.A. Groups hold meetings so that those striving to recover from alcoholism can gather together, sharing their stories and common solution. There are many different types of meetings.
Being new to A.A., it’s suggested you check out lots of different meetings so that you can find the ones you like best and feel most at home in.
The Meeting Guide app is the easiest way to find meetings on a smart phone or you can use this searchable list of Western Washington meetings.
Begin Reading the Book Alcoholics Anonymous
The basic program of A.A. is comprised of the 12 Steps, as outlined in A.A.’s basic text Alcoholics Anonymous, lovingly nicknamed “The Big Book”.
Many in-person meetings will have copies of “The Big Book” for purchase or can direct you to where you can buy one locally. You can read or listen to “The Big Book” for free on AA.org as well as purchase a copy to be shipped to you.
You may find it easiest to start by reading the personal stories in the back of the book.
Ask Someone to Be Your Sponsor
In A.A., a sponsor is someone who, after themselves working the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, is willing to guide someone else through working the 12 Steps.
For more information on sponsorship, please check out the pamphlet Questions and Answers on Sponsorship.
Additional Information
Open vs Closed Meetings
Every meeting is categorized as being either Open or Closed. Most meetings are Open meetings. Open meetings are available to anyone interested in the A.A. program of recovery. Non-alcoholics may attend open meetings as observers. Closed meetings are only available to those with a drinking problem and a desire to stop drinking.
If you have a desire to stop drinking, you are welcome at any A.A. meeting.
Is A.A. a Religious Based?
[From Understanding Alcoholics Anonymous and Spirituality Press Release 8/15/2023]
Since the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in 1935, members of all faiths, beliefs, and traditions have found common ground in and benefited from the A.A. program of recovery. The A.A. fellowship has grown and expanded around the world, reaching people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and religious traditions who have found help and hope in the A.A. spiritual program as embodied in its Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
It is a common misconception that Alcoholics Anonymous is a religious-based or Christian organization, but that is not the case. In fact, a fundamental principle of A.A. is that the Fellowship is not affiliated with any religion, nor is it allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution. As stated in the A.A. Preamble, which is read at most local A.A. meetings, “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. … Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.” Thus, A.A. members need not hold any sort of religious or A.A.-defined spiritual beliefs to find help for their drinking. Each person determines their own pathway in their recovery from alcoholism.
At A.A. meetings, spiritual themes are often highlighted in members’ personal sharing, or in readings at meetings from the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions or the book Alcoholics Anonymous—commonly called “The Big Book.” But while there may be references to “God” and “higher power” in A.A. literature and at meetings, the essence of the A.A. program is one alcoholic helping another. Members find they can get and stay sober when they look for a power greater than themselves for help, which is part of the A.A. program, whether that be a god, spiritual principles, nature, or the fellowship itself. There is complete freedom for each person to determine these matters.
For more information about this topic, please check out the pamphlets The ‘God’ Word and Many Paths to Spirituality.