Marijuana Anonymous ( MA ) founded in 1989 is an organization and twelve-step program for people with common desire to maintain abstinence from marijuana .
71-1098: Marijuana Anonymous (MA) formed in June 1989 to address compulsive use of cannabis. Since its inception, the MA fellowship has followed the Twelve Traditions and suggests practicing the Twelve Steps, both of which originated from Alcoholics Anonymous . Among the founders at the first MA conference in Morro Bay were delegates from Marijuana Smokers Anonymous ( Orange County, California ), Marijuana Addicts Anonymous (the San Francisco Bay area ), Marijuana Smokers Anonymous [Santa Cruz CA] and Marijuana Anonymous ( Los Angeles County ). Other existing fellowships from Seattle and New York City (1974), enfolded into MA later. Marijuana Anonymous set up in London UK in 2000. Marijuana Anonymous World Services
142-530: A Roman Catholic , joined in 1939. The first black AA group commenced in 1945 in Washington D.C., and was founded by Jim S., an African-American physician from Virginia. In 1938, Dr. Bob and Bill created The Alcoholic Foundation in New York, bringing in friends of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. as board members. Although they sought to raise significant funds, Rockefeller advised that large contributions might jeopardize
213-493: A "higher power". It offers guidance and strength through prayer and meditation from God or a higher power of their own understanding; take a moral inventory with care to include resentments; list and become ready to remove character defects; list and make amends to those harmed; continue to take a moral inventory, pray, meditate, and try to help other alcoholics recover. The second half of the book, "Personal Stories" (subject to additions, removal, and retitling in subsequent editions),
284-473: A "kinship of common suffering", Wilson attended his first group gathering, although he was drunk. Within days, Wilson admitted himself to the Charles B. Towns Hospital after drinking four beers on the way—the last alcohol he ever drank. Under the care of Dr. William Duncan Silkworth (an early benefactor of AA), Wilson's detox included the deliriant belladonna . At the hospital, a despairing Wilson experienced
355-440: A "searching and fearless moral inventory," and to thereby identify "character defects;" to share this moral inventory with one's AA sponsor or another trusted person; to make amends to people harmed; and to engage in regular prayer and meditation, seeking "conscious contact with God ... for knowledge of His will." The steps culminate in the 12th Step, which indicates that having had a "spiritual awakening" members continue to practice
426-483: A bright flash of light, which he felt to be God revealing himself. Following his hospital discharge, Wilson joined the Oxford Group and tried to recruit other alcoholics to the group. These early efforts to help others kept him sober, but were ineffective in getting anyone else to join the group and get sober. Dr. Silkworth suggested that Wilson place less stress on religion (as required by The Oxford Group) and more on
497-420: A declaration that cannot be questioned by other members. Speaker meetings feature one or more members who share their personal stories of recovery, fostering connection and understanding among participants. Big Book meetings focus on reading and discussing passages from AA's foundational text, while sharing meetings provide an open platform for members to speak freely and share their experiences, with or without
568-491: A group of straight addicts to solve the alcohol and the drug problem together. But, obviously, such a "dual purpose" group should not insist that it be called an AA group nor should it use the AA name in its title. Neither should its "straight addict" contingent be led to believe that they have become AA members by reason of such an association. Certainly there is every good reason for interested AAs to join with "outside" groups, working on
639-567: A predetermined topic. AA meetings are gatherings where recovery from alcoholism is discussed. One perspective sees them as "quasi-ritualized therapeutic sessions run by and for, alcoholics". In recent years, online meetings have become popular, allowing members to connect virtually through platforms like Zoom and What's App. Offline or in-person meetings, often referred to as “brick and mortar” meetings, take place in physical locations, and some groups even host hybrid meetings, enabling participants to attend either in person or virtually. Inclusivity
710-736: A presence in approximately 180 countries with nearly two million members—73% in the United States and Canada. AA dates its beginning to Bill Wilson's (Bill W.) and Bob Smith's (Dr. Bob) first commiseration alcoholic-to-alcoholic in 1935. Meeting through the Christian revivalist Oxford Group , they and other alcoholics helped each other until forming what became AA. In 1939, the new fellowship published Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism . The amended sub-title in later editions referred to “ Thousands of Men and Women”. Debuting AA's 12 steps, it
781-694: A resource for alcoholics worldwide, the Grapevine evolved into a unifying publication for the AA community, chronicling the Fellowship's growth, including the creation of the General Service Structure and publication of later editions of the Big Book. The Twelve Traditions were introduced to AA by Bill W. in April 1946 through an article titled "Twelve Suggested Points for A.A. Tradition." The AA Preamble, inspired by
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#1733085593256852-532: A similar meaning. For instance, in Marijuana Anonymous that member would be a marijuana addict, while in Narcotics Anonymous that member would be an addict. The principle is based on the philosophy that those that share common physical cravings and mental obsessions can best understand and help those that are struggling with their specific addictions. Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson wrote in
923-568: A spiritual conversion" with the help of the Group and began to experience the liberation from drink he was seeking. He became converted to a lifetime of sobriety while on a train ride from New York to Detroit after reading For Sinners Only by Oxford Group member AJ Russell. Members of the group introduced Hazard to Ebby Thacher . Hazard brought Thacher to the Calvary Rescue Mission, led by Oxford Group leader Sam Shoemaker . In keeping with
994-602: A surge in inquires, and AA membership tripled over the next year. Interviews on American radio and favorable articles in US magazines led to increased big book sales and membership. As the growing Fellowship faced disputes over structure, purpose, authority, and publicity, Wilson began promoting the Twelve Traditions. Bill W. first introduced his ideas on the Twelve Traditions in an April 1946 article for The Grapevine , titled “Twelve Suggested Points for A.A. Tradition.” Recognizing
1065-522: A unique approach—no logos, phone numbers, or links—focusing on subtle messaging like "You Are not Alone" and "Alcohol isn't the Answer." The campaign, created by The Raised Eyebrow Society, aims to attract people struggling with alcohol without violating AA's principles of anonymity and non-promotion. AA will celebrate its 100th anniversary meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana in 2035. The international convention
1136-442: A vital part of the MA program. This is where fellowship members go for peer-to-peer support, for literature, and to mark and celebrate their abstinence from marijuana. There are regularly scheduled daily meetings across the globe, in many formats including: in-person, online and phone meetings. Per the 7th Tradition, all meetings are autonomous, self-supporting, free to attend, and outside contributions are not accepted. The full title
1207-413: A whole. Despite cultural differences influencing certain rituals, many elements of AA meetings remain consistent worldwide. AA meetings encompass a variety of formats, each designed to serve different needs. Open meetings are accessible to anyone, including non-alcoholics who can attend as observers. In contrast, closed meetings are reserved for individuals who identify as having a desire to stop drinking,
1278-652: A year, and came back to the US, he soon resumed drinking, and returned to Jung in Zurich for further treatment. Jung told Hazard that his case was nearly hopeless (as with other alcoholics) and that his only hope might be a "spiritual conversion" with a "religious group". Back in America, Hazard went to the Oxford Group, whose teachings were eventually the source of such AA concepts as "meetings" and "sharing" (public confession), making "restitution", "rigorous honesty" and "surrendering one's will and life to God's care". Hazard underwent
1349-451: A “disease’’), and out of control—for which on going divining and following the will an unspecified 'higher power' (“God, as we understood Him”) could restore them to “sanity”. In the steps members acknowledge and make amends and seek to correct personal character defects aided by their higher power for guidance. Those “having achieved a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps” are suggested to carry AA's message to other alcoholics. This
1420-646: Is Life With Hope: A Return to Living Through the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Marijuana Anonymous . The book is available for purchase, and is free on the Marijuana Anonymous app. A New Leaf is a monthly newsletter published by Marijuana Anonymous. It contains stories and sobriety anniversaries of MA members along with the occasional article from the board members. Like most twelve step programs , MA also has informative pamphlet literature which it gives away for free. Pamphlets topics range from Why Marijuana Anonymous , Detoxing From Marijuana , Working
1491-613: Is a biennial international forum where AA delegates from around the world exchange ideas and experiences on carrying the message of recovery. Held in various global cities, the WSM focuses on sharing strategies to help alcoholics in different countries and languages. Today, A.A. is present in approximately 180 nations worldwide. By 2018, AA had 2,087,840 members and 120,300 AA groups worldwide. There are AA meetings in Beijing , China. In July 2024, AA launched its first UK-wide advertising campaign with
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#17330855932561562-407: Is a book published in 1953 that serves as a key text for AA. Written by AA co-founder Bill W., it provides detailed explanations of the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions. The book is commonly used in AA meetings and individual study, offering a framework for understanding the organization's approach to recovery and community. The story of Eddie Rickenbacker "and his courageous company" appears in
1633-481: Is a core principle of AA meetings, which welcome all alcoholics, though some are tailored to specific demographics such as gender, age, profession, or cultural background. Since the mid-1970s, several 'agnostic' or 'no-prayer' AA groups have begun across the US, Canada, and other parts of the world, which hold meetings that adhere to a tradition allowing alcoholics to freely express their doubts or disbelief that spirituality will help their recovery, and these meetings forgo
1704-421: Is a desire to stop using marijuana; there are no dues or fees. As an organization, Marijuana Anonymous attempts to stay neutral and has no official stance on the legality of cannabis , per Tradition Ten which states, "Marijuana Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the MA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." It is difficult for the organization to avoid taking a stance on whether marijuana
1775-481: Is a non professional non-profit corporation formed to carry out the necessary business and legal affairs of Marijuana Anonymous. Trustees are the officers of MA World Services, as “trusted servants” of the members of MA. A peer facilitated support group: these are volunteer positions and no one governs, as Marijuana Anonymous follows an "inverted triangle" of service, where the members are considered most important. The only requirement for membership to Marijuana Anonymous
1846-508: Is also fully self-supporting through the sale of literature and member contributions. The Eighth Tradition permits AA to employ "special workers" for roles that require specific expertise or full-time responsibilities, such as administrative tasks. However, these paid roles do not involve working directly with alcoholics in need of help, a function known as the "12th Step." Calls from alcoholics seeking assistance are always passed on to sober AA members who have volunteered to handle them, ensuring
1917-573: Is anticipated to attract tens of thousands of attendees to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium . Alcoholics Anonymous publishes several books, reports, pamphlets, and other media, including a periodical known as the AA Grapevine . Two books are used primarily: Alcoholics Anonymous (the "Big Book") and, expounding on the big book in regard to its subject, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions . As with all AA literature,
1988-472: Is believed to have originated in 1942 in Indianapolis, gaining popularity as various AA groups adopted the practice. Typically, different colored chips represent milestones of sobriety within the first year, with tokens awarded for 24 hours, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, and beyond, culminating in a bronze chip for one year of sobriety. AA members celebrate Founders Day on the weekend closest to June 10, marking
2059-423: Is commonly used in AA meetings as a tool for reflection and guidance. It was called the AA prayer in the 1940s. Often recited at meetings, it emphasizes the concepts of acceptance, courage, and wisdom, which align with the principles of the AA program. The prayer encourages individuals to accept things they cannot change, to find the courage to make changes where possible, and to seek the wisdom to distinguish between
2130-409: Is emphasized, particularly in media, with no prescribed consequences for breaches. AA meetings serve as a space where individuals discuss recovery from alcoholism, with flexibility in how meetings are conducted. While AA offers pamphlets suggesting formats, groups have the autonomy to organize their meetings according to their preferences, as long as their decisions do not impact other groups or AA as
2201-571: Is entirely self-supporting, relying on voluntary contributions from its members to cover expenses. Contributions to the General Service Office (GSO) are limited to $ 5,000 per member per year. In addition to these contributions, more than 50% of AA's income comes from the sale of AA literature, such as books and pamphlets. This practice aligns with AA's Seventh Tradition, which emphasizes financial independence by not accepting donations from outside individuals or organizations. The Central Office
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2272-498: Is informally known as the “Big Book”. It is also the origin of AA's name. AA offers a suggested, but not required, program of ongoing self-improvement and recovery in its Twelve Steps , a central element of which involves divining and following the will of a self-defined “God as we understood Him.” The Twelve Steps begin with admitting to powerlessness over alcohol and recognizing the unmanageability of one's life due to alcoholism. Subsequent steps require "rigorous honesty" to undertake
2343-458: Is made of AA members' redemptive autobiographical sketches. AA's Big Book calls alcoholism "an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer." Ernest Kurtz says this is "The closest the book Alcoholics Anonymous comes to a definition of alcoholism." Somewhat divergently in his introduction to The Big Book, non-member and early benefactor William Silkworth said those unable to moderate their drinking suffer from an allergy . In presenting
2414-470: Is meant to be achieved by taking the Twelve Steps , and sobriety is furthered by volunteering for AA and regular AA meeting attendance or contact with AA members. Taking AA's 12 steps are a “suggested”, but not required, “program of recovery”—also called a “spiritual solution”. They start with members admitting to being “powerless over alcohol” (which the Big Book calls an “Illness” or “malady”, but never
2485-409: Is often done through meetings of AA groups as well as with members taking on sponsees, although the Big Book makes no mention of the latter term. While taking care to avoid becoming affiliated, some AA members perform outreach to hospitals, treatment centers and correctional facilities. Members are encouraged to find an experienced fellow alcoholic, called a sponsor, to help them understand and follow
2556-533: Is physically addicting, as their program is intended to help recover from marijuana addiction. However, the organization maintains that its materials are not to be considered medical or scientific literature, but rather based on personal experiences of its members. There is a piece of literature, "The Doctor's Opinion on Marijuana Addiction" by Dr. Marvin Seppala, Chief Medical Officer of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation written for members of Marijuana Anonymous. Meetings are
2627-475: Is self-supporting, with donations from members covering expenses, and it operates through an "inverted pyramid" structure, where individual groups function autonomously. The organization does not accept outside contributions and relies heavily on literature sales. A 2020 Cochrane review found that, compared to other treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy, manualized AA and Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF) therapy showed superior continuous abstinence rates in
2698-550: The AA program. The sponsor should preferably have experienced all twelve of the steps, be the same sex as the sponsored person, and refrain from imposing personal views on the sponsored person. Following the helper therapy principle , sponsors in AA may benefit from their relationship with their charges, as "helping behaviors" correlate with increased abstinence and lower probabilities of binge drinking. The Twelve Traditions provide essential guidelines—not rules—that help A.A. groups navigate their relationships both internally and with
2769-549: The February 1958 AA Grapevine that We cannot give AA membership to non-alcoholic narcotics-addicts. But like anyone else, they should be able to attend certain open AA meetings, provided, of course, that the groups themselves are willing. AA members who are so inclined should be encouraged to band together in groups to deal with sedative and drug problems. But they ought to refrain from calling themselves AA groups. There seems to be no reason why several AAs cannot join, if they wish, with
2840-506: The Fellowship. The foundation opened a small office in New York, primarily funded by A.A. members, to handle inquiries and distribute the Alcoholics Anonymous book. In 1940, Rockefeller organized a dinner to promote A.A., which further increased the number of inquiries. The office became effective. Each request received a personal reply and a pamphlet, enhancing interest in the book. Consequently, many new groups were established, and by
2911-612: The Foreword of the book Alcoholics Anonymous , was written by one of the Grapevine's early editors Tom. Y. and first appeared in the June 1947 issue. In 1986, it was reaffirmed as AA's international journal by the General Service Conference. AA's program extends beyond abstaining from alcohol. Its goal is to effect enough change in the alcoholic's thinking "to bring about recovery from alcoholism" through "an entire psychic change," or spiritual awakening. A spiritual awakening
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2982-532: The Oxford Group stressed the possibility of complete victory over sin. In 1935, AA began in Akron, Ohio, as the outcome of a meeting between Bill W., and Dr. Bob , an Akron surgeon. Wilson's first success came during a business trip to Akron, Ohio, where he was introduced to Dr. Robert Smith , a surgeon, who was unable to stay sober. Dr. Bob's participation in the Oxford Group had not been enough to enable him to stop drinking. Bill W. explained that alcoholism affects
3053-420: The Oxford Group teaching that a new convert must win other converts to preserve his own conversion experience, Thacher contacted his old friend Bill Wilson , whom he knew had a drinking problem. Thacher approached Wilson saying that he had "got religion", was sober, and that Wilson could do the same if he set aside objections and instead formed a personal idea of God, "another power" or "higher power". Feeling
3124-449: The Program , etc. Twelve Traditions The Twelve Traditions of twelve-step programs provide guidelines for relationships between the twelve-step groups, members, other groups, the global fellowship, and society at large. Questions of finance, public relations, donations, and purpose are addressed in the traditions. They were originally written by Bill Wilson after the founding of
3195-619: The Twelve Concepts for World Service outline how the organization operates on a global scale. Each AA group is self-governing, with AA World Services acting only in an advisory capacity. This "inverted pyramid" style of governance has been key to the organization's resilience and adaptability. In Ireland, Shane Butler noted that AA's lack of top-level leadership might make it seem unsustainable, but its structure has proven extremely robust since its establishment there in 1946. AA's 21-member Board of Trustees includes seven "nonalcoholic friends of
3266-474: The Twelve Steps. This book also included case histories of thirty individuals who had achieved recovery, marking a significant milestone in A.A.'s development. The Twelve Steps were influenced by the Oxford Group's 6 steps and various readings, including William James 's The Varieties of Religious Experience . The first female member, Florence Rankin, joined AA in March 1937, and the first non-Protestant member,
3337-448: The above (short form only) with all instances of AA replaced with NA, the word alcoholic replaced with the word addiction, and the word drinking replaced with the word using. NA published their It Works: How and Why as its own study of the Twelve Traditions. Marijuana Anonymous has made similar changes to adapt the traditions to marijuana use, and has gone a step further by eliminating male pronouns in reference to God. This parallels
3408-443: The anniversary of the organization with thousands of attendees engaging in tours of historical sites, sharing recovery stories, and participating in related activities in Akron, Ohio. AA describes itself as "not organized in the formal or political sense" and has been referred to as a "benign anarchy," borrowing a phrase from anarchy theorist Peter Kropotkin. The Twelve Traditions guide the functioning of individual AA groups, while
3479-443: The basic ideas for the Twelve Traditions based on this correspondence with groups (via the group conscience method), setting guidelines on how groups and members should interact with each other, the public, and AA as a whole. The traditions were first published in the April 1946 AA Grapevine under the title Twelve Points to Assure Our Future and were formally adopted at AA's first international convention in 1950. Wilson's book on
3550-580: The book. It pertains to when his plane crashed in the Pacific and is used in the closing remarks of Tradition One: "Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity." The Grapevine , established in June 1944 by six AA members in New York, became AA's national journal by 1945 and later its international journal. Supported by Bill W., the magazine featured first-person stories, AA news, and discussions on key topics like women in AA and veterans returning from war. Initially intended as
3621-452: The doctor's postulate, AA said "The doctor's theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. As laymen, our opinion as to its soundness may, of course, mean little. But as ex-problem drinkers, we can say that his explanation makes good sense. It explains many things for which we cannot otherwise account." AA later acknowledged that "alcoholism is not a true allergy, the experts now inform us." The " Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions "
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#17330855932563692-613: The end of 1940, A.A. membership had grown to 2,000. In 1939, media coverage, particularly from The Cleveland Plain Dealer , generated a surge of interest and requests for help. The Cleveland group, although small, successfully assisted many alcoholics, quickly growing from twenty to around 500 members. A subsequent article in Liberty magazine resulted in a flood of requests for assistance, further expanding A.A.'s reach. In 1941 The Saturday Evening Post published an article about AA, sparking
3763-442: The fellowship," though the organization is primarily served and run by alcoholics. Members who accept service positions, termed "trusted servants," hold these roles for limited terms, typically ranging from three months to two years, depending on the position and group vote. This approach ensures regular rotation and participation from a broad spectrum of members, maintaining AA's commitment to shared responsibility and leadership. AA
3834-403: The field of alcoholism. The headquarters also published standard A.A. literature and oversaw translations, while the AA Grapevine gained substantial circulation. Despite these essential services, they were managed by a disconnected board of trustees, primarily linked to Bill and Dr. Bob. Recognizing the need for accountability, delegates from across the U.S. and Canada were convened, leading to
3905-495: The first meeting of the A.A. General Service Conference in 1951. This successful gathering established direct oversight of A.A.'s trusteeship by the Fellowship itself, ensuring the organization's future governance. At the 1955 conference in St. Louis, Missouri, Wilson relinquished stewardship of AA to the General Service Conference, as AA had grown to millions of members internationally. The World Service Meeting (WSM), established in 1969,
3976-544: The first twelve-step group, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Several of the tenets of what was to become AA's Twelve Traditions were first expressed in the foreword to the first edition of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1939. By 1944 the number of AA groups had grown, along with the number of letters being sent to the AA headquarters in New York asking how to handle disputes caused by issues like publicity, religion, and finances. By 1946 AA cofounder Bill Wilson had formulated
4047-423: The mind, emotions, and body, a concept he learned from Dr. Silkworth at Towns Hospital in New York, where he had been a patient multiple times. Convinced by Bill's insights, Dr. Bob soon achieved sobriety and never drank again, marking the inception of A.A., on 10 June 1935. Bill W. and Dr. Bob started working with alcoholics at Akron's City Hospital . One patient, who soon achieved sobriety, joined them. Together,
4118-426: The months and years after treatment, and with greater healthcare cost savings. AA has faced criticism for various reasons. Critics have questioned its overall success rate, and others have criticized the religious or what they see as cult-like aspects of its program. There have also been concerns about "thirteenth-stepping," where older members pursue new members romantically, as well as lawsuits regarding safety and
4189-590: The narcotic problem, provided the Traditions of anonymity and of "no endorsements" are respected. AA Grapevine Alcoholics Anonymous ( AA ) is a global, peer-led mutual-aid fellowship dedicated to abstinence-based recovery from alcoholism through its spiritually inclined twelve-step program . AA's Twelve Traditions stress anonymity and the lack of a governing hierarchy, and establish AA as free to all, non-promotional, non-professional, unaffiliated, non-denominational, and apolitical. In 2021, AA reported
4260-730: The need for guidance as A.A. expanded, he aimed to preserve the organization's unity and purpose. Bill described the input he received as a "welter of exciting and fearsome experience," which greatly influenced the development of the Traditions. From December 1947 to November 1948, The Grapevine published the Traditions individually, and in 1950, the First International Convention in Cleveland officially adopted them. In 1951, A.A.'s New York office expanded its activities, including public relations, support for new groups, services to hospitals and prisons, and cooperation with agencies in
4331-567: The outside world. These traditions ensure that membership is open to anyone seeking to stop drinking, with no dues or fees required. These Traditions foster an altruistic, unaffiliated, non-coercive, and non-hierarchical organization, limiting A.A.'s mission to helping alcoholics at a non-professional level while avoiding publicity. To prioritize recovery, the traditions discourage hierarchies, dogma, public controversies, property acquisition, and outside contributions. Members are advised against using A.A. for personal gain or public prestige, and anonymity
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#17330855932564402-519: The principles articulated in the previous 11 steps, and to carry AA's message of recovery to other alcoholics. Such "12th Step work" includes peer-to-peer sponsorship of alcoholics, forming AA groups, holding meetings, and through outreach to hospitals, prisons and other institutions. AA meetings vary in format, with some focusing on personal stories, readings from the Big Book, or open discussion. Meetings may cater to specific demographics, but they generally welcome anyone who desires to stop drinking. AA
4473-490: The program, has remained largely intact since the 1939 edition, with minor statistical updates and edits. The second part contains personal stories that are updated with every edition to reflect current AA membership, resulting in earlier stories being removed – these were published separately in 2003 in the book Experience, Strength, and Hope . The Big Book suggests a twelve-step program in which members admit that they are powerless over alcohol and need help from
4544-452: The religious nature of AA in court-mandated treatment. Rowland Hazard ’s journey from Carl Jung ’s psychiatric treatment to spiritual conversion through the Oxford Group played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations of Alcoholics Anonymous, influencing its principles of recovery. In 1926, Hazard went to Zurich , Switzerland , to seek treatment for alcoholism with psychiatrist Carl Jung . When Hazard ended treatment with Jung after about
4615-490: The science of treating alcoholism. Bill W. would later write: "The early AA got its ideas of self-examination, acknowledgment of character defects, restitution for harm done, and working with others straight from the Oxford Group and directly from Sam Shoemaker , their former leader in America, and from nowhere else." According to Mercadante, however, the AA concept of powerlessness over alcohol departs significantly from Oxford Group belief. In AA, alcoholism cannot be cured, and
4686-402: The subject, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions , was published in April 1953. Our A.A. experience has taught us that: Other twelve-step programs make small changes to the original Twelve Traditions used in Alcoholics Anonymous and offer interpretations specific to their programs. The Twelve Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous (NA), the second largest twelve-step program, are as stated in
4757-417: The texts are freely available on AA.org. In 1939, Wilson and other members wrote the book initially titled Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism , from which AA drew its name. Informally known as "The Big Book." The second edition of the Big Book was released in 1955, the third in 1976, and the fourth in 2001. The first part of the book, which details
4828-501: The three men formed the foundation of what would later become Alcoholics Anonymous, although the name "Alcoholics Anonymous" had not yet been adopted. In late 1935, a new group of alcoholics began forming in New York, followed by another in Cleveland in 1939. Over the course of four years, these three initial groups helped around 100 people achieve sobriety. In early 1939, the Fellowship published its foundational text, Alcoholics Anonymous , which outlined A.A.’s philosophy and introduced
4899-404: The two. Sobriety coins , also known as sobriety chips, are tokens given to members of AA to signify the duration of their sobriety. While the chip system is common, it is not universally adopted across all AA groups. The tradition began with Sister Ignatia in Akron, Ohio who distributed medallions to newly released patients as reminders to avoid drinking. The actual sobriety chip as known today
4970-417: The use of opening or closing prayers. Meetings in the United States are held in a variety of languages including Armenian , English, Farsi , Finnish , French, Japanese, Korean , Russian, and Spanish. At some point during the meeting a basket is passed around for voluntary donations. AA's 7th tradition requires that groups be self-supporting, "declining outside contributions". The Serenity Prayer
5041-513: The wording of MA's Twelve Steps. The MA Steps and Traditions are listed and expanded upon in MA's text, Life With Hope . AA's Singleness of Purpose is a principle derived from the Fifth Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous, "Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers." Other groups replace the word alcoholic with the identifying characteristic of their fellowship, or otherwise rephrase it to have
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