Tradition 5

“Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose—that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” Bill W. wrote this in a Grapevine article in April 1948 he goes on to say we have a sacred trust, “”that only a recovered alcoholic can do much for a sick alcoholic,”. I could … Read More

Tradition 4

Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole. The freedom individual groups have in Tradition 4 carries with it the admonition to protect the fellowship as a whole. Each 12 step group has complete freedom to decide for itself the program content of its meetings and the topics that will be discussed. … Read More

Tradition 3

The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking What does this really mean and how do you know if the potential member really has a desire to stop drinking? Over the years, I heard stories about the good old days when new A.A. members were interviewed to determine if they were truly alcoholic.  Before A.A., the … Read More

The Discipline of Tradition Two

When I came to Alcoholics Anonymous in 1983, I wondered, sometimes aloud, why didn’t someone “take over.”  The process of group conscience seemed ponderous and some members seemed not astute enough to make the “right” decisions.  I was told by my sponsor that in the group conscience our ultimate authority, God, speaks and that we trust that that loving God’s … Read More