What does anonymous mean in AA?

The principle of anonymity dictates that you should never share anything about another member that you learned during an AA meeting. It doesn’t require you to hide your membership from the people you trust.

What is AA how it works?

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.

Why must AA be anonymous?

At the personal level, anonymity provides protection for all members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard often of special importance to newcomers. As valuable as privacy is to new members, most of them are eager to share the good news of their A.A. affiliation with their families.

How does AA Preamble work?

It Defines the Purpose and Goals of AA The preamble serves as a mission statement for every meeting and the identity of the group as a whole. It continues, “… share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”

What happens if you see someone you know in AA?

What will happen if I see someone I know there? They will be there for the same reason you are there. They will not disclose your identity to outsiders. At A.A. you retain as much anonymity as you wish.

Did Alcoholics Anonymous change its Preamble?

At the 71st General Service Conference annual meeting, held online over April 17 to April 25, 2021, a revision to the AA Preamble was approved through advisory action. The change replaced the words “men and women” with the word “people” in the first sentence of the Preamble.

Did Alcoholics Anonymous change the Preamble?

The Preamble revision replacing the words “men and women” with the word “people” be presented to the General Service Board for approval as the new revised A.A. Preamble. It was recommended that: 5. The following theme for the 2022 General Service Conference: “A.A. Comes of Age 2.0: Unified in Love and Service.”

Why anonymity is important in recovery?

For the recovering addict, anonymity allows for a safe space to open up to others and address issues they wouldn’t feel as comfortable discussing in a more public setting.

What are the disadvantages of AA?

What are the Cons of AA?

• Members are encouraged, although not required to rely on a “higher power” as the most effective means of recovery.
• Lack of concrete evidence associated with outcomes.
• Emphasis on complete abstinence.
• Reliance on a higher power presents religious undertones, a problem sometimes for atheists.

Is AA proven to work?

AA shines. Most of the studies that measured abstinence found AA was significantly better than other interventions or no intervention. In one study, it was found to be 60% more effective.

How does Alcoholics Anonymous make money?

AA receives proceeds from books and literature that constitute more than 50% of the income for its General Service Office. In keeping with AA’s Seventh Tradition, the Central Office is fully self-supporting through the sale of literature and related products, and the voluntary donations of AA members and groups.

What is the A.A. acceptance prayer?

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference.

Who wrote the A.A. Preamble?

History of the AA Preamble: Why Is It So Popular? The Preamble was not part of the original Alcoholics Anonymous literature created by AA founder, Bill Wilson in 1934. It was actually created in June 1947 by the AA Grapevine, a magazine publication founded by six AA members with Bill Wilson’s permission.

Who wrote the AA Preamble?

Why do we thank the media for their support of AA?

From time to time we reach out to our friends in the media to thank them for helping us observe our long-standing tradition of anonymity for members of Alcoholics Anonymous. First, we’d like to express our thanks. From the beginning of A.A. over 85 years ago, we’ve recognized that word-of-mouth is not enough to carry the A.A. program’s message

What is AA’s first 100?

First published in 1939, its purpose was to show other alcoholics how the first 100 people of A.A. got sober. Now translated into over 70 languages, it is still considered A.A.’s basic text. We are experiencing some technical issues with audio streaming on aa.org.

What was your life like before AA?

Before A.A., I lived a very sad life. Loneliness and drinking were my companions. I loved — or rather, I needed — to drink. It was an extraordinarily powerful but temporary “medicine.” …I came to A.A …I started listening to the stories and identifying.