Abstract

Alcoholics Anonymous is a society of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other in order to solve common problems and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for a AA membership. The organization is self-supporting through its own contributions from members. AA is not allied to any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. It does not wish to become involved in any controversy, nor endorse or oppose any cause. The primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. (The AA Preamble). This often quoted introductory statement of AA sets out the primary purpose, the requirement for membership and the general operational policy of an organization that has just recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and has enjoyed a hegemony in the field of treatment of alcoholism for several decades. AA members seem to achieve a higher rate of abstinence than persons treated professionally.