Mason Delacroix
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global, peer-led fellowship that helps people recover from alcoholism through a spiritually inclined 12-step program. The organization was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, by Bill Wilson (Bill W.) and Bob Smith (Dr. Bob), two recovering alcoholics. AA has since spread worldwide, with a presence in approximately 180 countries and over 2 million members. In Spain, AA was first mentioned in 1955 when a doctor in Madrid requested information and was connected with a local member, Ray C. The Madrid group was formed, and soon after, groups appeared in other Spanish cities. In 1970, AA groups across Spain felt the need to connect and establish a national organizational structure, marking the beginning of AA in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of the first meeting | 1970 |
| Year the General Service of A.A. in Spain became an official organization | 1979 |
| Year of the first A.A. General Service Conference in Spain | 1980 |
| Number of groups in Spain | 616 |
| Average number of meetings per group per week | 2 |
| Number of members worldwide | Over 2 million |
| Number of groups worldwide | 120,300 |
| Number of countries where A.A. is present | 180 |
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What You'll Learn
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Bob Smith
- The first Spanish meeting occurred in Madrid, after a doctor there requested information from the New York AA in 1955
- AA Spain became an official organisation in 1979, and the first Spanish General Service Conference was held in 1980
- There are now 616 AA groups in Spain, with meetings held twice a week on average
- AA is now present in approximately 180 nations worldwide
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Bob Smith
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, two men who bonded over their shared struggle with alcoholism. Wilson, a New York stockbroker, had achieved sobriety with the help of his friend Ebby T. and the Oxford Group, a mostly non-alcoholic fellowship that emphasised universal spiritual values. However, he realised that maintaining his recovery required him to work with other alcoholics. This led him to Dr. Bob Smith, an Akron surgeon who, despite being a member of the Oxford Group, had not been able to achieve sobriety.
When Wilson and Smith met, they formed an incredible bond, and Smith became the first alcoholic Wilson brought to sobriety. Smith's last drink was on June 10, 1935, which is considered the founding date of AA. Together, they developed a simple program to help alcoholics, emphasising mutual aid, abstinence, and a 12-step approach to recovery. This included admitting powerlessness over alcohol, seeking support, making amends, and living a spiritual life.
In the early days, Wilson hosted meetings in his New York home, allowing alcoholics to live with him rent-free. This practice of providing a halfway house was first started by Smith and his wife, Anne. However, it was eventually stopped due to safety concerns and its limited effectiveness in helping alcoholics recover. Instead, Wilson and Smith focused on spreading their message of recovery and helping other alcoholics. They formed a non-profit group called the Alcoholic Foundation and published a book, "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism" (also known as the Big Book), which became the basic text for AA members.
By 1950, there were 100,000 recovered alcoholics worldwide thanks to AA, and the organisation continued to grow. In Spain, the first mention of AA was in 1955 when a doctor in Madrid connected with a member of AA, forming the Madrid group. In 1970, AA came into being in Spain in the strict sense, with well-established groups seeking a national-level organisational structure. The General Service of AA in Spain became an official organisation in 1979, and the first General Service Conference took place in 1980. Today, there are about 616 groups in Spain, meeting twice a week on average.
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The first Spanish meeting occurred in Madrid, after a doctor there requested information from the New York AA in 1955
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global, peer-led mutual-aid fellowship that helps people address their struggles with alcoholism through an abstinence-based recovery model. The first-ever AA meeting took place in Akron, Ohio, in 1935, as a result of a meeting between Bill W., a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob S., an Akron surgeon. Both men were alcoholics.
In 1970, well-established groups across Spain felt the need to be connected and have a national organizational structure. Group representatives held several meetings to this end. In October 1979, the General Service of AA in Spain became an official organization, and in April 1980, the first AA General Service Conference took place in the country. Since then, General Service Conferences have met yearly to evaluate the condition of the fellowship and consider how best to reach suffering alcoholics.
Today, there are 616 AA groups in Spain, with meetings taking place twice a week on average. AA has over two million active members worldwide, and its presence can be found in approximately 180 nations.
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AA Spain became an official organisation in 1979, and the first Spanish General Service Conference was held in 1980
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global, peer-led fellowship that helps members address their shared struggles with alcoholism through an abstinence-based recovery model. The organisation's philosophy is outlined in its foundational text, 'Alcoholics Anonymous', which was published in 1939. The book explains AA's spiritually inclined twelve-step program, which is designed to bring about an "entire psychic change" or spiritual awakening in members.
The history of AA in Spain can be traced back to 1955, when a doctor in Madrid requested information from the New York AA General Service Offices. This led to the formation of the Madrid group, and soon after, groups appeared in other Spanish cities, including Málaga, Valladolid, Barcelona, Rentería, Las Palmas, and Tenerife. However, it wasn't until 1970 that AA came into being in a more formal sense in Spain, when established groups across the country felt the need to connect and create a national organisational structure.
In October 1979, the General Service of AA in Spain became an official organisation, marking a significant milestone for the fellowship in the country. This was followed by the first AA General Service Conference in Spain, which took place in April 1980. Since then, the Spanish AA community has continued to thrive, with regular conferences and meetings. As of 2021, there are approximately 616 groups in Spain, with an average of two meetings per week for each group.
The growth of AA in Spain reflects the organisation's global impact and its ability to transcend barriers of race, creed, and language. With its core principles of mutual support and anonymity, AA has helped countless individuals on their journey to recovery from alcoholism.
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There are now 616 AA groups in Spain, with meetings held twice a week on average
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has a long history in Spain, with the first mention of a group in the country dating back to 1955 in Madrid. This group was formed when a doctor in Madrid contacted the New York AA General Service Offices, and was put in touch with Ray C., an AA member living in the same city. Following this, groups began to appear in other Spanish cities such as Málaga, Valladolid, Barcelona, and Rentería.
In 1970, AA took on a more formal structure in Spain as established groups across the country sought to connect and organize at a national level. Representatives from these groups held several meetings to discuss the future of AA in Spain. This culminated in the formation of the General Service of AA in Spain in October 1979, which became the official organization representing AA groups in the country.
The first AA General Service Conference in Spain took place in April 1980, and these conferences have been held annually since then to evaluate the condition of the fellowship and discuss how best to reach suffering alcoholics. As of 2023, there are 616 AA groups in Spain, with meetings typically held twice a week. This includes English-speaking groups on the Costa Brava and in other locations throughout Spain.
The national Spanish AA organization is called Alcohólicos Anónimos, and it continues to provide support and resources to individuals struggling with alcoholism. The twice-weekly meetings provide a regular and consistent opportunity for members to connect, share experiences, and offer mutual aid in their journey towards recovery from alcohol addiction.
AA Spain has grown significantly since its early beginnings in the 1950s, and its presence in the country reflects the global impact and reach of the Alcoholics Anonymous movement. The organization's structure, with its regular conferences and group meetings, has helped to create a supportive community for Spaniards affected by alcoholism.
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AA is now present in approximately 180 nations worldwide
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global, peer-led fellowship that helps its members address their shared struggles with alcoholism through a spiritually inclined twelve-step program. AA's Twelve Traditions emphasize anonymity, a lack of hierarchy, staying non-promotional, non-professionalism, unaffiliation, non-denominationalism, apoliticality, and free membership. AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (commonly referred to as Bill W.) and Bob Smith (Dr. Bob). The organization created The Alcoholic Foundation in 1938, bringing in friends of John D. Rockefeller Jr. as board members. By the end of 1940, membership had grown to 2,000.
AA has since grown into a worldwide movement, with an estimated presence in approximately 180 nations and a membership of nearly two million, 73% of whom are in the United States and Canada. The first mention of AA in Spain was a request for information made in 1955 by a doctor in Madrid, who was then put in contact with Ray C., a member of AA living in the same city. The Madrid group was formed, and in subsequent years, groups appeared in Málaga, Valladolid, Barcelona, Rentería, Las Palmas, and Tenerife. In 1970, well-established groups across Spain felt the need to connect and form a national organizational structure, and group representatives held several meetings to this end. In October 1979, the General Service of AA in Spain became an official organization, and in April 1980, the first AA General Service Conference took place. Today, there are about 616 groups in Spain, with each group meeting twice a week on average.
The World Service Meeting (WSM), inaugurated in 1969, provides an ongoing international forum for sharing experiences and ideas on carrying the AA message of recovery from alcoholism. The WSM is held biennially, alternating between New York and other locations worldwide, including Cartagena, Colombia; Auckland, New Zealand; Oviedo, Spain; and Durban, South Africa. AA's model of a free, open, and effective path to alcohol abstinence has spread globally, and its methods have been found to be more effective than psychotherapy in achieving abstinence.
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Frequently asked questions
The first Spanish meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous was in Madrid.
Alcoholics Anonymous came to Spain in the strict sense in 1970.
In October 1979, the General Service of AA in Spain became an official organization.
The first AA General Service Conference in Spain took place in April 1980.
Currently, there are 616 AA groups in Spain, with meetings taking place twice a week on average.
