Is AA for you?
Alcoholics Anonymous
We Can Help
If you or someone you know is having a problem with alcohol or does not understand alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous offers an alcoholism recovery program designed specifically for those who can’t stop drinking despite their best efforts.
Only you can decide whether you want to give A.A. a try — whether you think it can help you. Below are some questions we tried to answer honestly. See how you do. There is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a problem.
The primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous:
To carry the message of recovery to the still suffering alcoholic
Alcoholics Anonymous is a program of recovery from alcoholism. The AA program allows alcoholics to finally live free from the obsession with alcohol. Members of AA—those who have solved the drinking problem—show others how to achieve long-term sobriety. The original program of recovery describes freedom from the craving for alcohol. Hiding from alcohol is often an insufficient solution for those who have lost control of their drinking or the choice to stay sober after having quit. .
Many members call the recovery program of AA a new design for living. Members who have found recovery are no longer held hostage by addiction to alcohol; In addition they find freedom from old belief systems that kept them from living their authentic life.
“And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone—even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned. We react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality—safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed.” – Pg. 84, Tenth Step Promises, Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics get sober working the Twelve-Step program of recovery; furthermore, they achieve long-term sobriety by giving back what was freely given.
Our experience in AA, is that none of us can recover alone, but that together we can.
What is Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder)
“We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. All of us felt at times that we were regaining control, but such intervals – usually brief – were inevitably followed by still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization.”
– Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 30
The explanation that seems to make sense to most AA members is that alcoholism is an illness, a progressive illness, which can never be cured but which, like some other diseases, can be arrested. Furthermore, many AA members feel that the illness represents a combination of a physical sensitivity to alcohol and a mental obsession with drinking, which, regardless of consequences, cannot be broken by willpower alone.
“Physicians who are familiar with alcoholism agree there is no such thing as making a normal drinker out of an alcoholic.”
– Alcoholics Anonymous p. 31
What Is Alcoholics Anonymous?
All Inclusive
- AA is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.
- Professionals, those that work with alcoholics commonly refer to AA as a peer support or a mutual support group. Those that have solved their drinking problem give back freely what was given to them
No Dues or Fees
- The organization of AA is owned and operated by voluntary financial and service contributions of its members. Meeting attendance is free. Newcomers, loved ones, and friends of alcoholics are encouraged to visit meetings.Members share their experience, strength, and hope with anyone seeking help with a drinking problem. They provide person-to-person assistance with sobriety and sponsorship to alcoholics, regardless of how they come to AA.
- The program of recovery from alcoholism, outlined in the Twelve Steps, offers alcoholics a way to develop a satisfying life without alcohol. Member’s financial contributions are limited yearly, so no person or group can influence the overall AA organization.
Anonymity
- Anonymity is part of the foundation of AA’s success. The AA organization itself is not anonymous. We ask the press to not use members full names or faces in public.
- Protecting our anonymity protects the AA organization and fellow members.
- Most importantly, if members do not protect their anonymity, newcomers will not feel their anonymity is protected which can have deadly consequences.
(AA.org pamphlets)
This Is A.A. – An introduction to the A.A. recovery program.
Frequently Asked Questions About A.A.
Is A.A. for You? A self-assessment
Twelve questions only you can answer
1. Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?
2. Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking– stop telling you what to do?
3. Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
4. Have you had to have a drink upon awakening during the past year?
5. Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
6. Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?
7. Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
8. Do you ever try to get “extra” drinks at a party because you do not get enough?
9. Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk when you don’t mean to?
10. Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?
11. Do you have “blackouts”?
12. Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?
Did you answer YES four or more times?
If so, you are probably in trouble with alcohol. Why do we say this? Because thousands of people in A.A. have said so for many years. They found out the truth about themselves, the hard way.
But again, only you can decide whether you think A.A. is for you. Try to keep an open mind on the subject. If the answer is YES, we will be glad to show you how we stopped drinking ourselves. Just call.
A.A. does not promise to solve your life’s problems. But we can show you how we are learning to live without drinking “one day at a time.” We stay away from that “first drink.” If there is no first one, there cannot be a tenth one. And when we got rid of alcohol, we found that life became much more manageable.
Still have Questions?
Can I bring my Family to an A.A. meeting?
Family members or close friends are welcome at Open A.A. meetings. Check the for open meetings in our meeting page.
Can I go to an A.A. meeting drunk?
Yes, people who have been drinking sometimes attend A.A. meetings. They are welcome to attend, but they may be asked not to speak while intoxicated, but to listen instead.
What advice do you give new members?
Stay away from the first drink
Attend A.A. meetings regularly
Seek out the people in A.A. who have successfully stayed sober for some time
Try to put into practice the A.A. program of recovery
Obtain and study the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, or the Plain Language Big Book.
Am I an alcoholic?
We do not like to pronounce any individual as alcoholic. It’s a decision that each drinker has to make for themselves. But if, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic. And A.A. can help!
If you repeatedly drink more than you intend or want to, if you get into trouble or have memory lapses when you drink, you may be an alcoholic. Only you can decide. It is often suggested, attend six meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and listen for the similarities in the stories of others.
What happens if I meet people I know?
They will be there for the same reason you are there. Our Traditions tell us to not disclose our identities to outsiders. You retain as much anonymity as you wish. That is one of the reasons we call ourselves Alcoholics Anonymous.
If I go to an A.A. meeting, does that commit me to anything?
No. A.A. does not keep membership files, or attendance records. You do not have to reveal anything about yourself. You are always welcome; the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. We are here when you are ready for help.
Does A.A. cost anything?
There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership. Groups usually take a voluntary collection during the meeting to cover the meeting expenses and members contribute as they are able to.
What is a home group?
Traditionally, most A.A. members through the years have found it important to belong to one group that they call their “home group.” This is the group where they accept service responsibilities and try to sustain friendships. And although all A.A. members are usually welcome at all groups and feel at home at any of these meetings, the concept of the home group has remained the strongest bond between the A.A. member and the Fellowship.
What is a sponsor?
A sponsor is essentially an alcoholic who has made some progress in the A.A. recovery program and shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through A.A. We urge you to not delay in asking someone to be your sponsor. Alcoholics recovered in A.A. want to share what they have learned with other alcoholics. We know from experience that our own sobriety is greatly strengthened when we share the solution.
How do I find a meeting?
Our online schedule can be searched by location and meeting type. Download the Free Meeting Guide App from Google Play or The App Store, This works for most meetings anywhere! You may also download a schedule in a PDF format.
What are A.A. meetings like?
There are many types of meetings, but at any meeting you will find alcoholics talking about what drinking did to their lives and personalities, what actions they took to help themselves, and how they are living their lives today. An A.A. meeting may take one of several formats, including those specifically geared toward beginners and those featuring speakers, where one sober member shares their experience, strength and hope. Generally, our experience indicates that the best meeting to attend is the first one you can get to.
Do I have to give my name?
When you go to an A.A. meeting you don’t have to give your name. Some groups will invite newcomers to introduce themselves by their first name only. At some meetings a sign-in sheet may be circulated for the chairperson to use during the meeting — no one has to sign it. All participation in A.A. meetings is voluntary.
What about anonymity?
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all of A.A.’s Traditions. Please respect this custom and treat in confidence who you see and what you hear. Likewise, you can count on others to respect your anonymity.
Will I have to speak?
It’s not necessary to explain why you’re there. If you’re called on and prefer to remain silent, just say, “I’ll pass.” Everyone is free to simply sit and listen at meetings.
What if I have a Court Paper I need signed?
If a judge, school or employer has suggested you attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, they may believe there is evidence that you have a drinking problem. If you have an attendance sheet to be signed, most A.A. meeting secretaries will be happy to do so. However they are not required to do so. Take a look at a current meeting directory. You’ll see the days, times, and places A.A.
Is A.A. a religious organization?
No. Nor is it allied with any religious organization.
There’s a lot of talk about God, though, isn’t there?
The majority of A.A. members believe that we have found the solution to our drinking problem not through individual willpower, but through a power greater than ourselves. However, everyone defines this power as he or she wishes. Many people call it God, others think it is the A.A. group, still others don’t believe in it at all. There is room in A.A. for people of all shades of belief and non-belief.
What is the Big Book?
Published in 1939 under the title “Alcoholics Anonymous,” the Big Book is the basic textbook outlining the program of action for recovery from alcoholism through Alcoholics Anonymous. In addition to describing the disease of alcoholism and the spiritual steps toward recovery, the Big Book contains dozens of personal stories from people who have recovered from alcoholism using the A.A. program. There is now a Plain Language Big Book available!
Is it to late to stop drinking? We don’t think so. It’s never too late to cut out alcohol. Quitting now improves your health, sleep and personal safety. Regardless of age or how long you’ve had the habit, choosing sobriety positively impacts work, relationships, and overall mental and physical well-being.
If you want to know how to stop drinking, For us in AA, we believe we have found a way.
Find an AA meeting in Blue Mound, Clinton, Decatur, Mt.Zion, Pana, Shelbyville, Sullivan or Taylorville here: or download the Free Meeting Guide app.
