Alcoholics anonymous, better known simply as AA Is a group of men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.  They share their experiences, strengths, and hopes with each other, working toward the common goal of enjoying being sober and helping other alcoholics to become sober.  The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.  Let me repeat that.  The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Alcoholics anonymous is not connected with any one faith, sect or denomination.  No person will be turned away because of race, creed, or national origin.  The members oppose no one.  They wish simply to help other alcoholics.  They are entirely convinced that alcoholics are in the grip of a progressive illness.  That is to say, an illness which gets worse and worse.  They believe, too, that most problem drinkers, for reasons yet unknown, have lost their power of choice in drinking.  On this matter, so-called will power becomes useless.  Alcoholics are unable to remember the pain, the suffering, and humiliation experienced only a week or a month ago.

When asked why he started drinking, the average alcoholics will usually say, "I don't know".  Strangely enough, the truth is that he really has little or no idea why he took that first drink.  Some drinkers have excuses that satisfy them part of the time.  Yet, in their hearts, they really do not know why they drink.  Once this situation has a real hold, alcoholics become a bewildered, confused group.

There is the unreal belief that somehow, someday, they will control and enjoy their drinking.  But, they often suspect that they are really going down for the count.

Can alcoholics be helped to stop drinking?  They most certainly can!  Today more than a half million men and women throughout the world are showing by personal example that alcoholism is an illness that can be stopped!  These recovered problem drinkers are members of the unique fellowship of AA men and women of all ages, of all races and from all walks of life that have become sober again by sharing the simple recovery program offered by AA.

The basic unit in AA is the local group, varying in the number of members from a handful to over a hundred.  Each group is independent except in matters where other groups or the fellowship as a whole are concerned.  There are more than 18,000 such groups in more than ninety-two countries throughout the world.  Of these, more than nine hundred are in hospitals and one thousand in jails and penitentiaries.

No group has permanent leadership.  Special committees serve short terms.  Some members are new; others have not had a drink for five, ten, twenty and even more years!

AA is not connected with any other organization, outside agency, or movement.  However, AA does cooperate fully with other agencies interested in the field of alcoholism treatment.  Members of religious, medical and legal professions have been most helpful. 

Many people are referred to AA by them.  Another important organization with which AA gladly cooperates is known as the alanon-family groups.  Membership in the alanon-family groups is made up of relatives and friends of alcoholics.  Their main concern is helping other families of alcoholics understand and overcome the problem.

There are no fees or dues.  AA clubs are entirely self-supporting through the contributions of their members.  They do not accept outside contributions, no matter how well intended such gifts might be.

As the name implies, alcoholics anonymous keeps the fact that the member is with AA a secret.  That is to say, they do not let others know of their members' involvement with AA at the public level.  Not because they are a secret society, but rather to avoid unwanted wrong publicity.  There are no records kept of who belongs to the AA groups.  Employers are not notified when an employee joins AA nor is a person's wife or husband notified.  Also, no law enforcement agency is notified.  This is all so that the organization can live up to its name, alcoholics anonymous.  In AA principles are stressed, with individual personalities being unimportant.

If you know someone who wants help with a drinking problem refer him to alcoholics anonymous.  The phone number can be found in any phone book. Or visit their website at http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org