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The preample of Alcoholics
Anonymous
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.
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The only requirement
for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues
or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our
own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination,
politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage
in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
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Our primary purpose is to stay sober
and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
A.A. Preamble
Copyright (c) by The A.A. Grapevine, Inc;
reprinted with permission
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| What A.A. Does |
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Nonalcoholic
guests are welcome at “”open”” A.A. meetings. Attendance
at “”closed”” meet-ings is limited to those who are alcoholic
or think they may have a drinking problem.
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At meetings
A.A. members share their recovery experience with anyone seeking
help with a drinking problem, and give person-to person services
or “”sponsorship”” to the alcoholics coming to A.A.
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The A.A. program,
as set forth in the Twelve Steps to recovery, offers the alcoholic
an oppor-tunity to develop a satisfying way of life free from
alcohol.
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| What A.A. Does NOT Do |
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Make medical or psychiatric
diagnoses or prognoses, or offer advice. |
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Provide
drying out or nursing services, hospitalization, drugs, housing,
jobs, money or other welfare services.
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Accept any money for
its services or contributions from outside sources. |
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Provide
letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials,
social agencies, employers, etc.
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Engage in or support
education, research, or professional treatment. |
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Our recovery is based
on sharing our experience, strength and hope with each other, that
we may solve our common problem; more importantly, our continued
sobriety depends upon helping others to recover from alcoholism.
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The two most common kinds
of A.A. meetings are:
OPEN MEETINGS: As the term suggests, meetings of this
type are open to alcoholics and their families and to anyone interested
in solving a personal drinking problem or helping someone else
to solve such a problem.
During the meeting there is usually a period
for local A.A. announcements, and a treasurer passes the hat
to defray costs of the meeting hall, literature, and incidental
expenses. The meeting adjourns, often followed by informal visiting
over coffee or other light refreshments.
Guests at A.A. open meetings are reminded
that any opinions or interpretations they may hear are solely
those of the speaker involved. All members are free to interpret
the recovery program in their own terms, but none can speak for
the local group or for A.A. as a whole.
CLOSED MEETINGS: These meetings
are limited to alcoholics. They provide an opportunity for members
to share with one another on problems related to drinking patterns
and attempts to achieve stable sobriety. They also permit detailed
discussion of various elements in the recovery program.
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”
Utah Alcoholics Anonymous