“The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.”
Tradition 3
Welcome to the New Group of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism.
Need help with a drinking problem?
A.A. has a solution. That isn’t an empty promise. A.A. has been helping alcoholics recover for more than 80 years. A.A.’s program of recovery is built on the simple foundation of one alcoholic sharing with another. If your drinking is out of control, A.A. can help.
Getting sober begins with taking the first step
“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.” Step 1 is the beginning of a 12-step program to get and stay sober. Taking this first step is the foundation of a positive change in our lives. Coming to AA meetings is where we find support, understanding, and guidance from others who have been where we are and are living a sober life.
Staying sober involves several key principles:
- Attending Meetings: Regular attendance at AA meetings allows us to connect with others who understand our struggles and offer support without judgment. Meetings provide a safe space to share our experiences and learn from others.
- Finding a Sponsor: A sponsor is someone who has maintained sobriety and can offer support, guidance, and accountability as we work through the 12 Steps and navigate the challenges of recovery.
- Working the 12 Steps: The 12 Steps are a set of principles designed to help us recover from alcoholism by addressing our well-being. Working through the Steps with a sponsor helps us gain insight into our behaviors, and develop a new way of living without alcohol.
- Practicing Honesty and Openness: Honesty and openness are essential in recovery. By being honest with ourselves and others about our struggles and emotions, we can identify triggers, address underlying issues, and make positive changes in our lives.
- Taking it One Day at a Time: Recovery is a journey, and it’s important to take it one day at a time. Focusing on staying sober just for today can make the journey feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. We’re here to support each other, share our experiences, and offer hope for a better, sober life. Keep coming back, stay connected, and take the suggestions offered to you. Together, we can achieve and maintain sobriety.
Related Links
- A Newcomer Asks
- This Is A.A.
- Is A.A. for Me?
- Frequently Asked Questions About A.A.
- What to Expect at your first AA Meeting
- Understanding Anonymity
- A.A. for the Older Alcoholic
- A Message to Teenagers…
- Do You Think You’re Different?
- Agnostic and Atheist Members in A.A.
- Problems Other Than Alcohol
- The Big Book (aka Alcoholics Anonymous)
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
- Women in A.A.
- LGBTQ Alcoholics in A.A.
