What is AA?

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ® comprises individuals who come together to exchange their personal experiences, inner resilience, and optimism, aiming to collectively address their shared challenge and assist fellow members in overcoming alcoholism.

What is alcholism?

As A.A. sees it, alcoholism is an illness. Alcoholics cannot control their drinking, because they are ill in their bodies and in their minds (or emotions), A.A. believes. If they do not stop drinking, their alcoholism almost always gets worse and worse. Both the American Medical Association and the British Medical Association, chief organizations of doctors in those countries, also have said that alcoholism is an illness.

How does A.A help an alcoholic?

Through the example and friendship of the recovered alcoholics in A.A., new members are encouraged to stay away from a drink “one day at a time,” as the A.A.'s do. Instead of “swearing off forever” or worrying about whether they will be sober tomorrow, A.A.'s concentrate on not drinking right now — today. By keeping alcohol out of their systems, newcomers take care of one part of their illness —their bodies have a chance to get well. But remember, there is another part. If they are going to stay sober, they need healthy minds and healthy emotions, too. So they begin to straighten out their confused thinking and unhappy feelings by following A.A.’s “Twelve Steps” to recovery.

These Steps suggest ideas and actions that can guide alcoholics toward happy and useful lives. To be in touch with other members and to learn about the recovery program, new members go to A.A. meetings regularly.

More information about programs in the "Our Program” page.