Vivian Marlowe
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global fellowship founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (known as Bill W.) and Robert Smith (known as Dr. Bob), and has since grown to be worldwide. The Twelve Traditions of AA emphasize anonymity, a lack of hierarchy, staying non-promotional, non-professional, unaffiliated, non-denominational, apolitical, and free to all. The Twelve Steps were influenced by the Oxford Group's six steps and various readings, including William James's The Varieties of Religious Experience. The Twelve Steps outline a suggested program of ongoing drug rehabilitation and self-improvement, with a key component involving seeking alignment with a personally defined concept of God as we understood Him. AA has faced criticism for its religious nature, cult-like elements, and overall success rate. However, it has also received recognition for its unique and successful approach to alcoholism, with members finding liberation and peace through sharing personal experiences and supporting one another in recovery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global, peer-led mutual-aid fellowship | Anonymity |
| Emphasis on abstinence-based recovery from alcoholism | Lack of hierarchy |
| Twelve-step program | Non-promotional |
| Influenced by the Christian revivalist Oxford Group | Non-professional |
| Founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (Bill W.) and Robert Smith (Dr. Bob) | Unaffiliated |
| Initially a group for men | Non-denominational |
| Emphasis on acceptance of addiction as a disease | Apolitical |
| Free to join | Free to attend meetings |
| No age or education requirements | Open to anyone who wants to address their drinking problem |
| Primary purpose is to help alcoholics achieve sobriety | Emphasis on spiritual support |
| Emphasis on personal experiences and honesty |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The origins of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (known as Bill W.) and Robert Smith (Dr. Bob), two individuals seeking to address their shared struggles with alcoholism. The history of AA began in Akron, Ohio, in the United States, and soon spread to Canada and then worldwide.
Before forming AA, Wilson had joined the Oxford Group, a mostly non-alcoholic fellowship that emphasised universal spiritual values in daily living. The group's teachings influenced Wilson, and he later credited them with saving his life. Wilson also drew on the work of American psychologist and philosopher William James, whose book 'The Varieties of Religious Experience' (1902) explored the idea that spiritual transformations come from calamities and that their source lies in pain, hopelessness, and surrender. James believed that "the cure for dipsomania was religiomania".
Rowland Hazard’s journey from Carl Jung's psychiatric treatment to spiritual conversion through the Oxford Group also played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations of AA, influencing its principles of recovery. After seeking treatment for alcoholism with Jung in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1926, Hazard returned to the US and soon resumed drinking. Jung told him that his case was nearly hopeless and that his only hope might be a "spiritual conversion" with a "religious group". Back in the US, Hazard turned to the Oxford Group, whose teachings were the source of such AA concepts as "meetings", "sharing" (public confession), "making restitution", "rigorous honesty", and "surrendering one's will and life to God's care".
In 1939, the fellowship published 'Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism', colloquially known as the "Big Book". This book introduced the twelve-step program, which has since become the cornerstone of AA's philosophy and methods. The twelve steps outline a suggested program of ongoing drug rehabilitation and self-improvement, with a key component being the seeking of alignment with a personally defined concept of "God as we understood Him". The steps begin with an acknowledgment of powerlessness over alcohol and the unmanageability of life due to alcoholism, and subsequent steps emphasise rigorous honesty, including the completion of a "searching and fearless moral inventory" and making amends to individuals harmed.
The publication of the "Big Book" marked a significant milestone in AA's development, and the organisation rapidly expanded. By 1950, 100,000 recovered alcoholics could be found worldwide, and as of 2021, AA is estimated to have nearly two million members in 180 countries.
Alcohol Dependence: A Mental Health Crisis
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Oxford Group's influence on AA
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (known as Bill W.) and Robert Smith (Dr. Bob), two alcoholics who sought to address their shared struggles with alcoholism. The Twelve Steps of AA, which form the core of its philosophy, were heavily influenced by the teachings of the Oxford Group, a Christian organization founded by Frank Buchman in 1921.
The Oxford Group, originally called the First Century Christian Fellowship, believed that fear and selfishness were the root of all problems and that surrendering one's life to God's plan was the solution. They emphasized universal spiritual values and believed that sin was anything that stood between the individual and God. The group's teachings included the concepts of "meetings" and "sharing" (public confession), making "restitution", "rigorous honesty", and surrendering one's will and life to God's care.
Bill Wilson joined the Oxford Group in his search for relief from alcoholism and later credited the group for saving his life. The structure of AA and many of the ideas that formed the foundation of its Twelve-Step Program were influenced by the Oxford Group's teachings. For example, the concept of surrendering one's life to the care of God in Step 3 of the Twelve Steps is similar to the Oxford Group's concept of surrendering to God's plan. The idea of seeking guidance and making restitution, found in the Oxford Group's program, is also reflected in Step 11 of AA's Twelve Steps.
The language used in the "Big Book" of AA, which outlines its philosophy and the Twelve Steps, also borrows directly from the Oxford Group. For instance, the phrase "that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves" in the Big Book is found in the Oxford Group publication "What Is the Oxford Group?". Additionally, the concept of working with other alcoholics to maintain sobriety, which is central to AA's approach, was influenced by the Oxford Group's emphasis on one member working with another.
While Wilson and AA eventually broke from the Oxford Group, Wilson acknowledged that the group had a significant influence on the development of AA, stating that their debt to the Oxford Group was "immense".
The Third Member: Page 32 of AA's Text
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
The Twelve Steps were first published in the 1939 book "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism". The steps involve admitting to a lack of control over one's alcoholism, addiction, or compulsion; believing in a Higher Power that can give strength; and examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (an experienced member). The Twelve Steps were originally based on the principles of a spiritual organization, and the word "God" was eventually replaced with "Higher Power" to be more inclusive of different faith traditions and beliefs.
The Twelve Traditions were first published in the April 1946 AA Grapevine under the title "Twelve Points to Assure Our Future". They include principles such as the common welfare of the group coming first, personal recovery depending on AA unity, and the idea that the group has one ultimate authority: a loving God as expressed in the group conscience. The Traditions also emphasize the autonomy of each group, the importance of carrying the message of recovery to those who are still suffering, and maintaining financial independence and a non-professional stance.
LA County's Strict No-Alcohol Beach Policy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Big Book and its impact
The Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism, was published in 1939. It introduced the twelve-step program and provided the basis for the organisation's name. The book was written by Bill Wilson, also known as Bill W., one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and reviewed by many early members of the group.
The book's main objective is to help alcoholics find a "power greater than [themselves]" to solve their drinking problem. It outlines a suggested program of ongoing drug rehabilitation and self-improvement, with a key component being the alignment with a personal concept of "God as we understood Him". The steps begin with an acknowledgment of powerlessness over alcohol and the unmanageability of life due to alcoholism. Subsequent steps include the completion of a "searching and fearless moral inventory", sharing the inventory with a trusted person, and making amends to individuals harmed. The twelve steps are influenced by the six steps of the Oxford Group, a non-alcoholic fellowship that emphasised universal spiritual values, and various readings, including William James's The Varieties of Religious Experience.
The Big Book also included the case histories of thirty recovered members. The publication of the book marked a significant milestone in AA's development, with the Cleveland Plain Dealer publishing a series of positive articles about AA soon after. This triggered many pleas for help in Cleveland, and the group's membership expanded rapidly. The book also circulated outside of Cleveland, and by the end of the year, the membership stood at 2,000. In 1941, an article about AA by Jack Alexander was published in The Saturday Evening Post, leading to a huge response and a further increase in membership.
The Big Book has had a lasting impact on the development and growth of AA. It provided a basic textbook that outlined the philosophy and methods of AA, including the twelve steps that remain central to the program today. The book also helped to spread awareness of AA and attract new members, contributing to the organisation's rapid growth and expansion across the United States and beyond. The twelve-step program introduced in the book has been influential, with other self-help groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous adopting a similar philosophy.
Understanding the Cost of Inpatient Alcohol Rehab
You may want to see also
Explore related products
AA's global growth and presence
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global fellowship founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (known as Bill W.) and Robert Smith (known as Dr. Bob). It is a mutual-aid fellowship focused on an abstinence-based recovery model from alcoholism through its spiritually inclined 12-step program.
The history of AA began in the United States, spread to Canada, and then went worldwide. AA's presence now exists in more than 180 countries, with an estimated membership of nearly two million—73% in the United States and Canada. The first meeting outside the Oxford Group was held at Dr. Bob's house with 80 members in attendance.
The growth of AA in the United States and overseas had important milestones along the way. In 1939, the Fellowship published the groundbreaking textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous, which introduced the 12-step program and provided the basis for the organization's name. The book also included the case histories of 30 recovered members. The Cleveland Plain Dealer published a series of articles about AA, which triggered many pleas for help in Cleveland. The Cleveland group, with only 20 members, sought to help those alcoholics. A few months later, Cleveland’s membership had expanded to about 500.
In 1941, The Saturday Evening Post featured an article about AA by Jack Alexander, which led to a huge response. By the close of that year, the membership had jumped to 6,000, and the number of groups multiplied in proportion. By 1950, 100,000 recovered alcoholics could be found worldwide.
Today, AA's way of life can transcend most barriers of race, creed, and language. A World Service Meeting, started in 1969, has been held biennially since 1972. Its locations alternate between New York and overseas places such as England, Mexico, New Zealand, and Finland, among others.
Talking to Your Child About Your Alcoholism Recovery
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, by Bill W., a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob S., an Akron surgeon. Both had struggled with alcoholism and sought help from the Oxford Group, a mostly non-alcoholic fellowship that emphasised universal spiritual values. The group was influenced by the teachings of the Episcopal clergyman, Dr. Samuel Shoemaker, who led the Oxford Group in the US at the time.
In 1939, the fellowship published its foundational text, "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism", commonly referred to as the "Big Book". This introduced the twelve-step program and included the personal stories of 30 individuals who had achieved recovery. By the end of 1940, membership had grown to 2,000, and by 1950, 100,000 recovered alcoholics were part of the program worldwide.
The philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous is based on a spiritually inclined twelve-step program that emphasises abstinence and ongoing drug rehabilitation. A key component involves seeking alignment with a personally defined concept of "God as we understood Him". The steps begin with an acknowledgment of powerlessness over alcohol and the unmanageability of life due to alcoholism. The program also emphasises rigorous honesty, including a "searching and fearless moral inventory", and making amends to those harmed.
Alcoholics Anonymous operates on several key principles, including anonymity, a lack of hierarchy, and a non-promotional and non-professional approach. The program is also unaffiliated, non-denominational, apolitical, and free to all. Additionally, AA follows the "one day at a time" principle, which encourages members to focus on staying sober for the next 24 hours rather than for life.
