Who we are?

Alcoholics Anonymous began in Akron, Ohio, USA, in 1935, from the experience of two men: Bill W., a former NY stock broker and Dr. Bob S., a surgeon from Akron, Ohio. Bill W., due to his uncontrolled manner of drinking, was medically considered a hopeless alcoholic; but, through a conversion or spiritual experience, he achieved sobriety at the end of 1934. Months later, after several conversations, he managed to get Dr. Bob S. to free himself from his alcoholic obsession. Both observed that by sharing the experience of their recovery with other alcoholics, their compulsive desire to drink diminished. This is how the link was born that would unite the chain of men and women freed from alcoholism and who gave rise to the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Dr. Bob passed away on November 16, 1950 and Bill W., on January 24, 1971.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women, who have discovered and admitted that they cannot control their drinking of any alcoholic beverage. From their own experience they know that they have to live without alcohol for their own good and for that of their loved ones.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide association that operates in local Groups (approximately 80,000) which are found in 140 countries.

This Community of recovering Alcoholics has as its primary objective to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. Its members are men and women from different social, economic, and intellectual classes, of different races, of all religious creeds and political affiliations who share their experience, strength and hope, to solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism.

Alcoholics Anonymous can be defined as a practical and simple method of treating alcoholism, through which members, men and women share among themselves their experiences of suffering and how they achieved their recovery through the practice of the TWELVE STEPS. Another of the special characteristics of Alcoholics Anonymous is the lack of mandatory regulations and provisions. In local groups and as a worldwide association, there are no statutes that order members to attend a certain number of meetings during a certain period of time. No group has power over its members.

To be an AA member there are no fees or dues; the Fellowship maintains itself through contributions and donations from its members. The only requirement is the desire to stop drinking. Part of the money obtained in groups through voluntary contributions goes to the AA General Service Office and is used to help support the national and international services of the society.

No. AA is not a religious society, because its members are not required to have any defined religious belief as a condition for their admission or permanence. Although many religious leaders have approved and endorsed the principles of the society, Alcoholics Anonymous is not allied with any organization, sect, religion, or political party; it neither endorses nor opposes any cause. The Fellowship's recovery Program is undoubtedly based on the acceptance of certain spiritual values.

By tradition, AA members have been very careful to maintain anonymity at the public level (press, radio and TV). As the AA association grew, the benefit of anonymity became apparent and visible, which prevents those seeking personal recognition, power, prestige or benefit from causing difficulties to the society. Alcoholics Anonymous has always thanked the press, radio and TV for their faithful respect for the personal anonymity of its members.

In short, Alcoholics Anonymous guarantees the newcomer and everyone that their identity will not be revealed.

This office acts as an information center, where Alcoholics Anonymous literature is published and distributed. There, experiences are also exchanged, and activities of our movement are carried out on a national and international scale. This office operates under the direction of the AA National Service Board, which is composed of both non-alcoholics and alcoholics, and which has as one of its main purposes to serve, through the groups, the entire AA Fellowship. This Board reports annually on its activities through a General Service Conference.