Vivian Marlowe
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded by Bill Wilson (Bill W.) and Dr. Robert Smith (Dr. Bob) in 1935. The two men, who were seeking to address their shared struggles with alcoholism, met in Akron, Ohio, and formed a group specifically devoted to the disease of alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous. Wilson and Smith's collaboration, influenced by the Christian revivalist Oxford Group, evolved into a mutual support group that eventually became the global, peer-led, abstinence-based recovery model from alcoholism that AA is known as today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Names | Bill Wilson, Robert Smith |
| Nicknames | Bill W., Dr. Bob |
| Occupation | Stockbroker, Surgeon |
| Year of Birth | 1895 |
| Year of Death | 1971 |
| Place of Birth | East Dorset, Vermont |
| Year AA was founded | 1935 |
| Place AA was founded | Akron, Ohio |
| Number of members as of 2021 | Nearly 2 million |
| Number of countries as of 2021 | 180 |
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What You'll Learn
Bill Wilson (Bill W.) and Dr. Bob Smith (Dr. Bob) were both alcoholics
Wilson and Smith's collaboration was influenced by the Christian revivalist Oxford Group, which advocated for the treatment of sin as a disease. They adopted and built upon the group's teachings, formulating a mutual support system that became the foundation of AA. Wilson, in particular, emphasized the idea that alcoholism was a disease of the mind, emotions, and body, and this perspective resonated with Smith. Through their shared experiences and commitment to helping others, Wilson and Smith developed a program that has become a global lifeline for those struggling with addiction.
The two men started working with alcoholics at the Akron City Hospital, and soon, one patient achieved sobriety and joined them in their mission. Together, these three men formed the core of what would become AA. The group expanded with the formation of new chapters in New York and Cleveland, and by 1939, they had helped around 100 people achieve sobriety. The early success of AA can be attributed to the dedication and personal investment of Wilson and Smith, who discovered that working with other alcoholics was instrumental in maintaining their own sobriety.
In 1939, Wilson and other AA members authored the book "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism," commonly known as the "Big Book." This book outlined the twelve-step program of personal recovery and spiritual growth, providing a roadmap for individuals seeking to overcome alcoholism. The publication of the "Big Book" marked a significant milestone in the development of AA, and it has since been printed over 40 million times and translated into 70 different languages. The principles laid out by Wilson and Smith in this book and through the AA movement have had a profound impact on the lives of millions of people struggling with addiction worldwide.
The legacy of Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith extends beyond their own lifetimes. After Smith's death in 1950, Wilson became the paramount figure in the movement, and AA continued to grow and expand internationally. Wilson passed away in 1971, but his spirit and dedication to helping others live on through the AA community. Today, AA has an estimated membership of nearly two million people in over 180 countries, and it continues to offer hope and a path to recovery for those struggling with alcoholism.
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They met in 1935 and founded AA
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded by Bill Wilson, commonly known as Bill W., and Dr. Robert Smith, commonly known as Dr. Bob. Wilson was a stockbroker from New York, and Smith was a surgeon from Akron, Ohio. Both men were alcoholics and shared a mutual quest for sobriety.
In 1935, Wilson and Smith met in Akron, Ohio, and formed a group specifically devoted to the disease of alcoholism, which became known as Alcoholics Anonymous. Their collaboration was influenced by the Christian revivalist Oxford Group, of which they were both members. Wilson and Smith's work together evolved from a mutual support group into a global fellowship focused on an abstinence-based recovery model from alcoholism.
Wilson and Smith sought to develop a simple program to help alcoholics, with a successful approach that empathized with alcoholics yet convinced them of their hopelessness and powerlessness. Wilson maintained his recovery by working with other alcoholics. Before meeting Smith, none of these other alcoholics had actually recovered. When Smith and Wilson finally met, the effect on Smith was immediate. He found himself face-to-face with a fellow sufferer who was succeeding in his sobriety.
Together, Wilson and Smith began working with alcoholics at Akron's City Hospital. One patient quickly achieved complete sobriety, and these three men made up the first AA group. In the fall of 1935, a second group of alcoholics formed in New York, followed by a third in Cleveland in 1939. It took four years for these three founding groups to produce about 100 sober alcoholics.
In early 1939, the fellowship published its foundational text, Alcoholics Anonymous, which outlined AA's philosophy, introduced the Twelve Steps, and included the case histories of 30 individuals who had achieved recovery. 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."
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Wilson wrote the book 'Alcoholics Anonymous' (the Big Book)
Bill Wilson, known as Bill W. within the AA community, authored the book Alcoholics Anonymous, colloquially known as the "Big Book". The book was published in 1939 and outlined a 12-step program for personal recovery and spiritual growth. It also introduced the concept of seeking alignment with a personally defined concept of a "higher power" or "God as we understood Him".
The book Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism, was written by Bill W. and other members of AA. The book shared their personal experiences and strategies for maintaining sobriety. The initial title was later expanded to include "Thousands of Men and Women" to reflect the growing diversity of the AA membership.
The "Big Book" has become the foundational text for AA members, providing a roadmap for recovery and serving as the basic text from which the organization derived its name. It has been printed over 40 million times and translated into 70 different languages, underscoring its global impact and influence.
Bill W.'s journey and experience with alcoholism were integral to the development of the "Big Book". His struggles with alcohol stemmed from a troubled and lonely childhood, marked by his parents' separation. Despite these challenges, he demonstrated leadership and ingenuity, which, coupled with his personal experiences, informed the creation of the 12-step program.
The principles and practices outlined in the "Big Book" have not only guided countless individuals toward sobriety and purpose but have also inspired the creation of other 12-step programs addressing various addictions and compulsive behaviours. The book's emphasis on anonymity, humility, and the sharing of personal stories has fostered a safe and non-judgmental environment, making it a lifeline for those struggling with addiction worldwide.
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The book introduced the 12-step program
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global fellowship founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (known as Bill W.) and Robert Smith (known as Dr. Bob). The two co-founders first met in 1935 and shared a desire to address their common struggle with alcoholism. Their collaboration, influenced by the Christian revivalist Oxford Group, evolved into a mutual support group that eventually became AA.
In 1939, the fellowship published a book titled "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism", commonly referred to as the "Big Book". This book introduced the twelve-step program and provided the basis for the organisation's name. The twelve steps are outlined at the beginning of the chapter "How It Works".
The twelve steps are a set of guiding principles in addiction treatment, outlining a course of action for tackling problems related to alcoholism, drug addiction, and behavioural compulsion. The steps are meant to be addressed in sequential order, but there is no "right" way to approach them, and individuals can take breaks or spend more time on certain steps as needed. The twelve steps include:
- Admitting powerlessness over alcohol and that one's life has become unmanageable.
- Coming to believe that a Power greater than oneself could restore sanity.
- Making a decision to turn one's will and life over to the care of God as one understands Him.
- Making a searching and fearless moral inventory of oneself.
- Admitting to God, oneself, and another human being the exact nature of one's wrongs.
- Becoming entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly asking Him to remove these defects.
- Making a list of all persons one has harmed and becoming willing to make amends to them.
- Making direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
- Continuing to take personal inventory and promptly admitting when one is wrong.
- Seeking through prayer and meditation to improve one's conscious contact with God as one understands Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
- Having a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps and carrying this message to other alcoholics, practicing these principles in all affairs.
The twelve steps are not meant to be personal guidelines for the individual but rather general guidelines for healthy relationships between group members and other groups. The steps were originally based on the principles of a spiritual organisation, and the word "God" has been replaced with "Higher Power" to be more inclusive of different faiths and beliefs.
The "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous changed the conversation about alcoholism and popularised the twelve-step model of recovery. The book includes personal stories that are updated with each edition to reflect current AA membership. The twelve steps and the fellowship of AA were founded on the principles of the Oxford Group, including the belief that all problems rooted in fear and selfishness could be changed through the power of God and following the "Four Absolutes": absolute honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love.
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The 12-step program is based on the teachings of the Oxford Group
The 12-step program, which has become the basis of many treatment programs for addiction, is rooted in the teachings of the Oxford Group. The Oxford Group was a religious movement popular in the US and Europe in the early 20th century. It was founded by Frank Buchman, an American missionary, after he had a life-changing experience at the 1908 Keswick Convention of evangelical Christians in England. The group's philosophy centred around six principles of self-improvement: performing self-inventory, admitting wrongs, making amends, using prayer and meditation, and carrying the message to others.
The Oxford Group's teachings caught the attention of those in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, and philosophy. Notably, Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung recommended the group to Rowland H., a man from Rhode Island seeking help for his alcoholism. Jung believed that Rowland's case required a spiritual solution rather than traditional medical treatment. Rowland's friend Ebby, also an alcoholic, joined the Oxford Group and, through practicing its principles, both men successfully gave up alcohol.
Bill W., a former Wall Street stockbroker with a history of alcoholism, attended Oxford Group meetings and got sober in 1934. He, along with Dr. Bob, an Akron surgeon and fellow group member, recognized the effectiveness of the group in helping alcoholics achieve sobriety. They began using the group's six steps to reach out to others struggling with alcohol addiction. However, they noticed that many who found sobriety through the group eventually relapsed, which discouraged them.
To address this, Bill W. started writing a book in 1938, titled "Alcoholics Anonymous," which outlined the steps for recovering alcoholics. By the end of 1937, he and Dr. Bob had parted ways with the Oxford Group and began raising funds for a new fellowship. The book, now known as "The Big Book," was published in 1939 and contained expanded steps for the AA program. The 12 Steps became the cornerstone of AA, providing a spiritual means of personal transformation rather than a religious one. This adaptability has allowed different groups to publish their own variations, making the program accessible to a diverse range of individuals beyond those struggling with addiction.
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Frequently asked questions
Bill Wilson (Bill W.) and Dr. Robert Smith (Dr. Bob) are credited with founding Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935.
The 12-step program is a set of spiritual principles that guide individuals through the process of admitting powerlessness over alcohol, seeking a higher power's help in recovery, making amends for past wrongs, and helping other alcoholics achieve sobriety.
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