What is the history of AA?
AA was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, when one alcoholic, Bill Wilson, talked to another alcoholic, Bob Smith, about the nature of alcoholism and a possible solution. With the help of other early members, the book Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism was written in 1939.
What is the official website of AA?
www .aa .org. Alcoholics Anonymous ( AA) is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of enabling its members to "stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety .". AA is nonprofessional, self-supporting, and apolitical. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking.
Do AA meetings take place in treatment facilities?
Many AA meetings take place in treatment facilities. Carrying the message of AA into hospitals was how the co-founders of AA first remained sober. They discovered great value of working with alcoholics who are still suffering, and that even if the alcoholic they were working with did not stay sober, they did.
How did the co-founders of AA first stay sober?
Carrying the message of AA into hospitals was how the co-founders of AA first remained sober. They discovered great value in working with alcoholics who are still suffering, and that even if the alcoholic they were working with did not stay sober, they did.
What does AA mean in therapy?
Alcoholics AnonymousOverview. Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA as it is widely known, has been around since it was founded in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr.
When did AA change the 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.
Why did AA change its preamble?
“Review suggested gender-neutral language options for changes to the AA Preamble.” This item was not acted on by the Grapevine committee, since they felt they needed more direction regarding wording. However, a couple of Floor Actions at the end of the Conference did address a change to the Preamble.
What is another name for AA?
Alcoholics AnonymousThe book cover of Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th edition. AA derives its name from the title of this book.NicknameAATypeMutual-help addiction recovery twelve-step programHeadquartersNew York, New YorkMembership (2020)2,100,0004 more rows
What is the new Preamble for AA?
The AA Preamble (New) Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Is AA changing 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.”
What is the AA blue card?
Closed Meeting (Blue Card) This is a closed meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. In support of A.A.'s singleness of purpose, attendance at closed meetings is limited to persons who have a desire to stop drinking. If you think you have a problem with alcohol you are welcome to attend this meeting.
Who wrote AA's 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.
Is the Preamble of AA in the big book?
THE PREAMBLE was introduced in the June 1947 issue of the AA Grapevine magazine. It was written by the then-editor, who borrowed much of the phrasing from the Foreword to the original edition of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.
Is AA religious based?
Although AA is a spirituality-based program, it works through a number pathways. As such, individuals may benefit from AA participation regardless of their spiritual leanings. For scientists: The models explaining AA's mechanisms of behavior change require further specification.
What is the success rate of AA?
Addiction specialists cite success rates slightly higher, between 8% and 12%. A New York Times article stated that AA claims that up to 75% of its members stay abstinent. Alcoholics Anonymous' Big Book touts about a 50% success rate, stating that another 25% remain sober after some relapses.
Who invented AA?
Bill W.Bob SmithAlcoholics Anonymous/Founders
What is an AA?
aa .org. Alcoholics Anonymous ( AA) is an international mutual aid fellowship, with a primary purpose of enabling alcoholics to become and remain sober and help other alcoholics to do the same. It is non-professional, non-denominational, self-supporting, and apolitical, with its sole requirement for membership being an avowed desire ...
Who said that AA should be available to all problem drinkers?
Stanton Peele argued that some AA groups apply the disease model to all problem drinkers, whether or not they are "full-blown" alcoholics. Along with Nancy Shute, Peele has advocated that besides AA, other options should be readily available to those problem drinkers who can manage their drinking with the right treatment. The Big Book says "moderate drinkers" and "a certain type of hard drinker" can stop or moderate their drinking. The Big Book suggests no program for these drinkers, but instead seeks to help drinkers without "power of choice in drink."
What did Wilson do after he was discharged from the Oxford Group?
Following his hospital discharge, Wilson joined the Oxford Group and recruited other alcoholics to the group. Wilson's early efforts to help others become sober were ineffective, prompting Silkworth to suggest that Wilson place less stress on religion and more on the science of treating alcoholism.
What is the book cover of Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous. The book cover of Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th edition . AA derives its name from the title of this book and is written by AA members. Alcoholics Anonymous ( AA) is an international mutual aid fellowship, with a primary purpose of enabling alcoholics to become and remain sober and help other alcoholics to do the same.
How long does it take to get sober from AA?
American psychiatrist Lance Dodes, in The Sober Truth, says that most people who have experienced AA have not achieved long-term sobriety, stating that research indicates that only five to eight percent of the people who go to one or more AA meetings achieve sobriety for longer than one year . Gabrielle Glaser used Dodes' figures to state that AA has a low success rate in a 2015 article for The Atlantic, which says that better alternatives than Alcoholics Anonymous for alcohol treatment are available.
How many men have recovered from alcoholism?
To share their method, Wilson and other members wrote the initially-titled book, Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism, from which AA drew its name. Informally known as "The Big Book" (with its first 164 pages virtually unchanged since the 1939 edition), it suggests a twelve-step program in which members admit that they are powerless over alcohol and need help from a "higher power". They seek guidance and strength through prayer and meditation from God or a Higher Power of their own understanding; take a moral inventory with care to include resentments; list and become ready to remove character defects; list and make amends to those harmed; continue to take a moral inventory, pray, meditate, and try to help other alcoholics recover. The second half of the book, "Personal Stories" (subject to additions, removal and retitling in subsequent editions), is made of AA members' redemptive autobiographical sketches.
Why is it difficult to do random trials with AA?
Because of the anonymous and voluntary nature of Alcoholics Anonymous ("AA") meetings, it is difficult to perform random trials with them; the research suggests that AA can help alcoholics make positive changes. The Surgeon General of the United States 2016 Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health states "Well-supported scientific evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of twelve-step mutual aid groups focused on alcohol and twelve-step facilitation interventions."
Who was the founder of AA?
In his search for relief from his alcoholism, Bill Wilson, one of the two co-founders of AA, joined The Oxford Group and learned its teachings. While Wilson later broke from The Oxford Group, he based the structure of Alcoholics Anonymous and many of the ideas that formed the foundation of AA's suggested 12-step program on the teachings of the Oxford Group. Later in life, Bill Wilson gave credit to the Oxford Group for saving his life.
When was the AA founded?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jump to navigation Jump to search. AA Big Book, 2nd edition. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (known as Bill W.) and Robert Smith (known as Dr. Bob ). Subsequently, The history of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been documented in books, movies, and AA literature.
Why do alcoholics need spiritual conversion?
To produce a spiritual conversion necessary for sobriety and "restoration to sanity", alcoholics needed to realize that they couldn't conquer alcoholism by themselves —that "surrendering to a higher power" and "working" with other alcoholics were required. Sober alcoholics could show drinking alcoholics that it was possible to enjoy life without alcohol, thus inspiring a spiritual conversion that would help ensure sobriety.
How many alcoholics were in Akron in 1937?
Over 40 alcoholics in Akron and New York had remained sober since they began their work.
How did Wilson help alcoholics?
Wilson allowed alcoholics to live in his home for long periods without paying rent and board. This practice of providing a halfway house was started by Bob Smith and his wife Anne. Wilson's wife, Lois, not only worked at a department store and supported Wilson and his unpaying guests, but she also did all the cooking and cleaning. She also tried to help many of the alcoholics that came to live with them. She was attacked by one man with a kitchen knife after she refused his advances, and another man committed suicide by gassing himself on their premises. Later they found that he had stolen and sold off their best clothes. Wilson stopped the practice in 1936 when he saw that it did little to help alcoholics recover. The Wilsons did not become disillusioned with the Oxford Group until later; they attended the Oxford Group meetings at the Calvary Church on a regular basis and went to a number of the Oxford Group "house parties" up until 1937.
What was the difference between the Oxford group and the Akron group?
The Akron Oxford members welcomed alcoholics into their group and did not use them to attract new members, nor did they urge new members to quit smoking as everyone was in New-York's Group ; and Akron's alcoholics did not meet separately from the Oxford Group.
Why is anonymity important in AA?
If members made their membership in AA public, especially at the level of public media, and then went out and drank again, it would not only harm the reputation of AA but threaten the very survival of the fellowship. Later, as a result of "anonymity breaks" in the public media by celebrity members of AA, Wilson determined that the deeper purpose of anonymity was to prevent alcoholic egos from seeking fame and fortune at AA expense . Wilson also saw anonymity as a principle that would prevent members from indulging in ego desires that might actually lead them to drink again—hence Tradition Twelve, which made anonymity the spiritual core of all the AA traditions, ie the AA guidelines.
What did the AA meetings include?
These included total abstinence from alcohol, acknowledgement of Jesus as their Savior, obedience to God’s will, growth in fellowship with God, and help for other alcoholics. Meetings were very spiritual and those that joined AA often talked of the healing power of God.
What are the Twelve Steps of AA?
The Twelve Steps are a notable part of AA, walking an individual through the process of being sober for life. Part of that journey still consists of helping other members.
How many alcoholics did Wilson help?
It started small at first, and the two helped about 40 alcoholics during the first two years, working tirelessly with them in their sobriety and also their relationship with God. The organization operated out of people’s homes, and alcoholics often found themselves living for a time with Wilson.
What is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most renowned organizations that exist to help individuals recover from alcoholism. Millions have benefited from the programs and weekly meetings, and AA has influenced countless other programs, , and those that work with alcoholics. What may not be so well-known, however, is the history ...
Can a medical professional diagnose substance use disorder?
Disclaimer: Only a medical or clinical professional may diagnose a substance use disorder. This assessment may serve as an indicator of a potential addiction but should not replace a diagnosis from a professional treatment provider.
Who was the alcoholic who met Wilson?
Even though he was sober, the temptation for alcohol was still strong. Wilson, on a trip to Akron, Ohio in 1935, met Dr. Bob Smith, another recovering alcoholic, and sought him out for support.
Is Alcoholics Anonymous a faith based organization?
Alcoholics Anonymous was a very faith based organization in its beginning. It called for its members to surrender absolutely to God, to devote themselves daily to prayer or meditation, and to join with other recovering alcoholics in a religious and support group.
What is the purpose of AA and NA?
They can help you come to terms with your addiction and work on righting the wrongs in your life . In particular, rehab centers often focus on the first 5 of the steps during your primary treatment. Then, once you’re in an aftercare program, you can work through the rest.
When will NA be available in 2021?
June 8, 2021. If you’re suffering from a substance use disorder, both rehab and 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can help you get on the path to sobriety.
Treatment Workbook
This workbook is intended as a guide for A.A. members involved in Treatment Committee work.
Treatment Kit
The Treatment Kit contains the workbook and a selection of pamphlets, guidelines and order forms associated with Treatment Committee work.
Bridging the Gap
The local Bridging the Gap program, or BTG, connects new members being discharged from a facility to A.A. in their community.
Suggested Committee Activities
Send a list of Treatment Committee meetings to all D.C.M.s and to local intergroup/central offices.
Share Treatment Experience
The Treatment desk at the A.A. General Service Office is dedicated to Treatment Committee activities. Committees are encouraged to share local experiences and challenges with this desk.
Who were the founding members of Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous formed (1935). The 4 founding members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Bill Wilson, Ebby Thatcher, Rowland Hazard, and Dr. Bob Smith, were highly influenced by the pioneers of the Emmanuel Movement. 10 Wilson and Dr. Bob were both alcoholics in the 1930s, unable to achieve sustained abstinence despite their Christian faith and membership in the Oxford Group, a Christian organization whose principles heavily influenced the creation of the 12 steps. 13 The meeting between Bill W. and Dr. Bob in 1935 marked the formation of AA, and the famous blue book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was published in 1939. 2 AA separated from the Oxford Group in the 1930s. 13
What is the name of the drug that was used to treat alcoholism?
Disulfiram and other drugs are used to treat alcoholism (1948-1950). Disulfiram, otherwise known as Antabuse, was introduced in the U.S. as a supplemental treatment for alcoholism. Antabuse created feelings of nausea and unpleasant reactions to alcohol.
What did Freud prescribe to treat alcoholism?
Freud recommends cocaine to treat alcoholism and morphine addiction (1880s). Sigmund Freud began using cocaine himself, calling it the “magical drug.” 7 Freud and other American physicians used cocaine to treat alcoholism and morphine addiction. However, in the last of Freud’s writings, he backed off his former defense of using cocaine to treat morphine addiction. 2,7
What is the purpose of American Addiction Centers?
At American Addiction Centers, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information on the web so our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare.
When was alcoholism first defined?
American Medical Association defines alcoholism (1952). In 1952 , the American Medical Association (AMA) first defined alcoholism. 2 Eventually, the committee agreed to define alcoholism as a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing the condition’s prognosis. 16.
When were psychoactive drugs first used?
Psychoactive drugs have been used since the earliest human civilizations. Problematic use of substances was observed as early as the 17th century. 1. The evolution of addiction treatment, from the mid-18th century to the present, is outlined below.
What is the power of AA?
AA has given us the power to choose – to drink or not to drink – and in doing so has given us the freedom to be responsible for ourselves.
What was the theme of the 1935 AA convention?
The theme of the Convention was: Responsibility.
History
The Big Book, The Twelve Steps, and The Twelve Traditions
- To share their method, Wilson and other members wrote the initially-titled book, Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism, from which AA drew its name. Informally known as "The Big Book" (with its first 164 pages virtually unchanged since the 1939 edition), it suggests a twelve-step program in which member…
Organization and Finances
- AA says it is "not organized in the formal or political sense", and Bill Wilson, borrowing the phrase from anarchist theorist Peter Kropotkin, called it a "benign anarchy". In Ireland, Shane Butler said that AA "looks like it couldn't survive as there's no leadership or top-level telling local cumannswhat to do, but it has worked and proved itself extremely robust". Butler explained that "…
Program
- AA's program extends beyond abstaining from alcohol. Its goal is to effect enough change in the alcoholic's thinking "to bring about recovery from alcoholism" through "an entire psychic change," or spiritual awakening. A spiritual awakening is meant to be achieved by taking the Twelve Steps, and sobriety is furthered by volunteering for AA and regular AA meeting attendance or contact w…
Spirituality
- A study found an association between an increase in attendance at AA meetings with increased spirituality and a decrease in the frequency and intensity of alcohol use. The research also found that AA was effective at helping agnostics and atheists become sober. The authors concluded that though spirituality was an important mechanism of behavioral change for some alcoholics, i…
Disease Concept of Alcoholism
- More informally than not, AA's membership has helped popularize the disease concept of alcoholism which had appeared in the eighteenth century. Though AA usually avoids the term disease, 1973 conference-approved literature said "we had the disease of alcoholism."Regardless of official positions, since AA's inception, most members have believed alcoholism to be a disea…
Canadian and United States Demographics
- AA's New York General Service Office regularly surveys AA members in North America. Its 2014 survey of over 6,000 members in Canada and the United States concluded that, in North America, AA members who responded to the survey were 62% male and 38% female.The survey found that 89% of AA members were white. Average member sobriety is slightly under 10 years with 36% s…
Relationship with Institutions
- Hospitals
Many AA meetings take place in treatment facilities. Carrying the message of AA into hospitals was how the co-founders of AA first remained sober. They discovered great value in working with alcoholics who are still suffering, and that even if the alcoholic they were working with did not st… - Prisons
In the United States and Canada, AA meetings are held in hundreds of correctional facilities. The AA General Service Office has published a workbook with detailed recommendations for methods of approaching correctional-facility officials with the intent of developing an in-prison AA progra…
Effectiveness
- There are several ways one can determine whether AA works and numerous ways of measuring if AA is successful, such as looking at abstinence, reduced drinking intensity, reduced alcohol-related consequences, alcohol addiction severity, and healthcare cost. The effectiveness of AA (compared to other methods and treatments) has been challenged throughout the years,but rec…
Criticism
- Sexual harassment
"Thirteenth-stepping" is a pejorative term for AA members approaching new members for dates. A study in the Journal of Addiction Nursing sampled 55 women in AA and found that 35% of these women had experienced a "pass" and 29% had felt seduced at least once in AA settings. This ha… - Criticism of culture
Stanton Peele argued that some AA groups apply the disease model to all problem drinkers, whether or not they are "full-blown" alcoholics. Along with Nancy Shute, Peele has advocated that besides AA, other options should be readily available to those problem drinkers who can manag…