What is A.A.?
Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide
fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet
together to attain and maintain sobriety. The only requirement
for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Current Membership
It
is estimated that there are over 89,000 groups and more than
2,000,000 members in 145 countries
How You Can Find
A.A. in Quinte East
There are over 30 meetings held in the Quinte East Area.
For a
list of meetings click here. To speak to a member of A.A. in
Quinte East call our number 613-962-8700. This phone is
always answered and someone will take your number and have an
experienced A.A. member call you back.
Relations with Outside
Agencies
The Fellowship has adopted a policy of “cooperation but not
affiliation” with other organizations concerned with the problem
of alcoholism. We have no opinion on issues outside AA and
neither endorse nor oppose any causes.
How A.A. is Supported
Over the years, Alcoholics Anonymous has affirmed
and strengthened a tradition of being fully self-supporting and
of neither seeking nor accepting contributions from non-members.
Within the fellowship, the amount that may be contributed by any
individual member is limited to $1,000 a year.
How A.A. Members
Maintain Sobriety
A.A. is a problem of total abstinence. Members imply stay away
from one drink, one day at a time. Sobriety is maintained
through sharing experience, strength, and hope at group meetings
and through the suggested Twelve Steps for recovery from
alcoholism.
Why Alcoholics
Anonymous is ‘Anonymous’
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of A.A. It disciplines the
Fellowship to govern itself by principles rather than
personalities. We are a society of peers. We strive to make
known our program of recovery, not individuals who participate
in the program. Anonymity in the public media is assurance to
all A.A.s especially to newcomers, that their A.A. membership
will not be disclosed.
Anyone May Attend
A.A. Open Meetings
Anyone may attend open meetings of A.A. These usually consist of
talks by a leader and two or three speakers who share experience
as it relates to their alcoholism and their recovery in A.A.
Some meetings are held for the specific purpose of informing the
non-alcoholic public about A.A. Doctors, members of the clergy,
and public officials are invited. Closed discussion meetings are
for alcoholics only.
How A.A. Started
A.A. was started in 1935 by a New York stockbroker and an Ohio
surgeon (both now deceased) who had been “hopeless” drunks. They
founded A.A. in an effort to help others who suffered from the
disease of alcoholism and to stay sober themselves. A.A. grew
with the formation of autonomous groups, first in the United
States and then around the world.
What A.A. Does Not Do
A.A. does not: Keep membership records or case histories …engage
in or support research ...join “councils” or social agencies
(although A.A. members, groups and service offices frequently
co-operate with them) ...follow up or try to control its members
…make medical or psychiatric prognoses or dispense medicines or
psychiatric advice …provide drying-out or nursing services or
sanatoriums …offer religious services …provide housing, food,
clothing, jobs, money or other welfare or social services
…provide domestic or vocational counselling …provide letters of
reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials, social
agencies, employers, etc.
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