The 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has 12 guiding principles, known as the 12 Traditions, that promote cooperation, unity, and the organization's primary purpose of helping alcoholics recover.

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal progress depends upon AA unity.

This tradition emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the well-being of the group over individual interests. Members are encouraged to work together and support each other in their recovery journeys.

2. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

AA recognizes a higher power as the ultimate authority, and its leaders serve as facilitators rather than rulers. This tradition promotes humility and prevents power struggles within the organization.

3. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.

AA's membership is open to anyone who genuinely wants to address their drinking problem. There are no other requirements, such as fees or religious affiliation.

4. Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.

This tradition encourages the autonomy of individual AA groups while acknowledging the need for unity and coordination when dealing with matters that impact the entire fellowship.

5. Each group has but one primary purpose: to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

AA's primary focus is on helping individuals suffering from alcoholism. The organization aims to spread its message of recovery and support to those who need it.

6. An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

This tradition prevents AA from becoming entangled in external activities or ventures that could compromise its integrity or detract from its primary purpose.

7. Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

AA groups rely on member contributions to cover their expenses, maintaining financial independence and autonomy. This ensures that AA remains free from external influences.

8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

AA emphasizes the importance of non-professionalism, relying on the shared experiences of recovered alcoholics to support one another. However, service centers may employ specialized individuals to assist with administrative tasks.

9. AA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

AA avoids formal organizational structures to maintain its focus on spirituality and fellowship. However, it may establish service boards or committees to facilitate its operations.

10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

AA refrains from taking positions on external issues or controversies to maintain its focus on its primary purpose and avoid alienating potential members.

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.

AA's public relations strategy emphasizes attraction rather than promotion, relying on the experiences of recovered members to draw individuals to the program. Personal anonymity is maintained to protect members' privacy.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities.

Anonymity is a core principle in AA, serving as a reminder to members to prioritize the principles of the program over individual recognition. This promotes humility and unity within the fellowship.

The 12 Traditions of AA serve as a guide for the organization, its members, and its groups, ensuring unity, cooperation, and a focus on the primary purpose of helping alcoholics achieve recovery.