Vivian Marlowe
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global community that offers a program for alcoholism recovery. AA has helped more than two million alcoholics worldwide, and its literature and communications are published in English, Spanish, and French. The first Spanish AA meeting in Spain was held in Madrid in 1955, after a doctor from the city requested information from the New York AA General Service Offices. Following this, AA groups were formed in other Spanish cities, including Málaga, Valladolid, Barcelona, and Rentería. Today, there are AA groups all over Spain, as well as in treatment centers and correctional institutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First country | Spain |
| First mention | A request for information in 1955 by a doctor in Madrid |
| First group | Madrid group |
| Year A.A. came into being in Spain | 1970 |
| Number of nations with A.A. presence | Approximately 180 |
| Number of members worldwide | 2,087,840 |
| Number of groups worldwide | 120,300 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in Spain
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, in the United States, and has since spread worldwide. AA is now present in approximately 180 countries, offering a program of alcoholism recovery known as the "12-Step Program".
In Spain, AA groups can be found all over the country, as well as in treatment centres and correctional institutions. The General Service of AA in Spain provides information leaflets, books, and newsletters that are distributed by the General Service Office (GSO). These materials are available in Spanish, including the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" ("the Big Book"), for which a fourth Spanish-language edition is currently in production. The AA Meeting Guide app also allows users to search for Spanish-speaking meetings in their area or online. La Viña, a bimonthly Spanish-language magazine, features stories from AA members on topics including emotional sobriety and spiritual service.
The history of AA in Spain specifically is unclear, but the organisation's presence in the country is well-established, with a variety of resources available for Spanish-speaking individuals seeking support for alcohol addiction.
AA's growth internationally began in the 1940s, with the first groups outside of the US and Canada appearing in this decade. By 1950, there were 100,000 recovered alcoholics in AA worldwide. The organisation continued to expand, and by the 1970s, it had become "truly global", transcending barriers of race, creed, and language. Today, AA's international presence is strong, with biennial World Service Meetings held since 1972, alternating between New York and other locations around the world.
Alcohol on School Grounds: What's the Law in New York State?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
AA's first mention in Spain
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, in the United States, and from there, it spread to Canada and then worldwide. The first mention of AA in Spain was in 1955, when a doctor in Madrid requested information from the New York AA General Service Offices. This doctor was put in touch with Ray C., a member of AA living in Madrid, and the Madrid group was formed. Following this, groups appeared in other Spanish cities, including Málaga, Valladolid, Barcelona, Rentería, Las Palmas, and Tenerife. In 1970, well-established groups across Spain felt the need to connect and organise on a national level, so group representatives held several meetings.
Today, AA is present in approximately 180 nations worldwide, with meetings held in a variety of languages, including Spanish. There are also several resources available in Spanish for Spanish-speaking members, including the book Alcoholics Anonymous ("the Big Book"), for which the fourth Spanish-language edition is currently in production. The AA Meeting Guide app allows users to search for Spanish-speaking meetings in their area or online, and La Viña is a bimonthly Spanish-language magazine that features stories from AA members.
Stocking a Home Bar: Alcohol Essentials
You may want to see also
Explore related products
AA's first General Service Conference in Spain
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was established in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, in the United States, and has since expanded to over 180 countries worldwide. The first AA group in Spain was formed in 1979, and the first AA General Service Conference in the country took place in April 1980.
The General Service Conference is a crucial aspect of AA's functioning, allowing the Group conscience in Britain to express itself on matters concerning the Fellowship as a whole. It is held annually, typically in April, and its recommendations are published in the Summer Edition of AA Service News and the AA GB website. The Conference ensures the continuity of AA's work within the framework of the Twelve Traditions.
The first AA General Service Conference in Spain was a significant milestone for the organization in the country. It brought together delegates from across Spain to evaluate the condition of the fellowship and consider how best to reach out to struggling alcoholics. The conference also provided an opportunity to share experiences, strengths, and hopes, fostering unity and a sense of community among Spanish AA members.
While I cannot find specific details about the first conference in Spain, I can provide an overview of the typical structure and purpose of AA General Service Conferences. These conferences are usually held in York, UK, and are preceded by the publication of relevant topics and questions in AA Service News and on the AA GB website. This initiates discussions among individuals, groups, intergroups, and regions, with the outcomes fed back into the conference by delegates.
The conferences cover a range of topics, from financial considerations to literature approvals. For example, the 1976 Conference voted to "keep the Big Book as it is," while the 1984 Conference celebrated the AA Grapevine magazine's revenue success and recommended producing more cassette tapes of member stories. The conferences also provide a platform for personal testimonies, such as that of Esther, a Hispanic woman who shared her experience of understanding the AA program better in Spanish.
Today, AA's presence in Spain continues to grow, with over 600 groups offering support and hope to those struggling with alcoholism.
Best Alcohol-Free Leave-In Conditioners for Your Hair
You may want to see also
Explore related products
AA's structure in Spain
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group for those suffering from alcohol addiction that began in the United States in 1935 and has since spread worldwide, with a presence in over 180 countries. AA's structure in Spain is organised as follows:
The General Service Association (GSA) of AA was formed in Spain in 1979 and designated the General Service Board as its representative to the Spanish State. The General Service Board is the governing board of AA in Spain. The structure also includes Group Service Representatives (GSRs), who collect the opinions of the group conscience and discuss them in the Area Assembly with other GSRs from the same area. After the assembly discussions, the area conscience is formed, which can lead to common actions in an area. The delegate from the area conscience can then attend the General Service Conference (general assembly) to discuss with the delegates from other areas and the General Service Board. This process facilitates the emergence of the conscience of AA in Spain.
For administrative purposes, AA in Spain is divided into four regions: North, South, East, and Central-West. AA groups can be found throughout the country, including in health centres and correctional institutions. According to AA's definition, when two or three alcoholics meet with the goal of achieving sobriety, they can be considered an AA group, provided they have no other affiliations.
To support Spanish-speaking members, AA offers a variety of resources in Spanish, including books, pamphlets, and the AA Meeting Guide app, which helps individuals find Spanish-speaking meetings in their area or online. Spanish-language literature, such as the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" ("the Big Book"), is available, with a fourth edition currently in production featuring stories from Spanish-speaking members. Additionally, La Viña, a bimonthly Spanish-language magazine published by the AA Grapevine, shares stories from AA members on topics like emotional sobriety and spiritual service.
Alcohol Measurement: Weight vs. Volume
You may want to see also
Explore related products
AA groups in Spain
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, in the United States, and has since grown to have a presence in over 180 countries worldwide. The first Spanish-speaking country to host an AA meeting is unclear, but AA groups exist all over Spain, including in treatment centres and correctional institutions.
The national Spanish AA is called Alcohólicos Anónimos, and there is also an English-speaking AA network in the country. The AA Spain website provides details of English-speaking meetings across Spain, as well as information on who to contact if there are no English-language meetings in a particular area. The AA Barcelona website serves the Cataluña Region English-speaking Intergroup and provides a full schedule of English-language meetings.
The AA Meeting Guide app allows users to search for Spanish-speaking meetings in their area or online. The international journal of AA, the AA Grapevine, publishes a bimonthly Spanish-language magazine called La Viña, which features stories from AA members on topics including emotional sobriety and spiritual service.
The fourth edition of the Spanish-language version of the AA book Alcoholics Anonymous ("the Big Book") is currently in production, and submissions of stories from members are being accepted.
States That Outlawed Alcohol Before the 18th Amendment
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Spain. The first mention in the New York A.A. General Service Offices was a request for information made in 1955 by a doctor in Madrid.
The Madrid group was formed in 1955 when a doctor in Madrid was put in contact with Ray C., an A.A. member living in the same city. In the following years, groups appeared in Málaga, Valladolid, Barcelona, Rentería, Las Palmas, Tenerife, and other places. In 1970, Alcoholics Anonymous came into being in Spain in the strict sense when well-established groups across the country felt the need to be connected and have a national organizational structure.
Alcoholics Anonymous offers a variety of resources for Spanish speakers, including an array of books, pamphlets, and other materials in Spanish. The A.A. Meeting Guide app allows users to search for Spanish-speaking meetings in their area or online. Additionally, La Viña is a bimonthly Spanish-language magazine published by the AA Grapevine, featuring stories from A.A. members on topics such as emotional sobriety and spiritual service.
