The 12 traditions of alcoholics anonymous were very important in the survival of the 12 step program as we know it today. It was here that the dedication to a single minded purpose was outlined. The financial structure of self supporting donations, the avoidance of political involvement all were factors that had crushed previous movements. Here are the 12 traditions of AA, which became the building block for future growth.
AA Traditions
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
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.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance
or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
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.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
The 12 traditions of AA are found in the book Alcoholics Anonymous (The Big Book)
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Number six is one of the reasons they are so successful. When you start affiliating with other things it opens the door for corruption in my opinion.
It was very interesting to read about these traditions of AA, I would rather even say principles, because they form the basis on which the whole structure is built. I highly appreciate the work of such societies as AA, because they really help people to recover. Fortunately, I have no problems with alcohol, but I know people that do have them. And the most sad point is that such people often don’t accept the fact they have any problems…