Alcoholics Anonymous® are a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other in order to solve their common problem and help other alcoholics to recover.
- The only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. AA does not charge dues or fees; we support ourselves through our own contributions.
- AA is not associated with any sect, religious or political denomination, organization or establishment; it does not wish to engage in any controversy; it does not endorse or contest any cause.
- Our primary goal is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics become sober.
Copyright © by AA Grapevine, Inc.
Translated and reproduced with permission.
Many organizations, such as businesses, unions, and government services, have established programs to assist employees whose personal problems affect their work performance and family life.
Trade unions and employers are increasingly aware of the disease of alcoholism and the financial and personal problems it causes, and they recognize the benefits of helping their employees.
To employers, supervisors and staff in professional settings
Alcoholics Anonymous can offer unions, executives, the medical community, social services, human resources, and employee assistance program professionals the combined experience of over two million recovering alcoholics who now lead comfortable and productive alcohol-free lives. AA is present in nearly every community and has over 66,000 groups in the United States and Canada alone.
AA can help organizations, societies, and businesses of any size to connect with men and women who have achieved sobriety and are willing to freely share their experience with anyone seeking help.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is not a professional organization and its services are free; its primary goal is the personal recovery and maintenance of sobriety for alcoholics who seek help. The AA method is based on the inherent ability of recovered alcoholics to help those who still drink.
The sole objective and problems other than alcohol
Some professionals define alcoholism and drug addiction as "substance abuse" or "chemical dependence." Consequently, non-alcoholics are sometimes referred to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and encouraged to attend AA meetings. Anyone can attend open AA meetings, but only those with an alcohol problem can attend closed meetings.
HASto work colleagues
If you have work colleagues who may be problem drinkers, understanding the nature of the problem can play a vital role in helping the drinker become and remain sober.
You can take certain steps to help recovery by learning to understand the AA program.* You might want to talk to an AA member or read AA publications that explain our recovery program and give a general overview of how AA works.
You can also contact Al-Anon Family Groups. Although this organization is completely separate from Alcoholics Anonymous, it uses the same general principles of the AA program as a guide for husbands, wives, parents, friends, and other relatives of alcoholics. (Website: al-anon.alateen.org)
AA welcomes all opportunities to:
- Meet with employers to discuss ways AA can collaborate.
- Conducting employee meetings to explain the AA recovery program.
- Bringing employees struggling with alcohol problems to AA meetings.
How do I get in touch with AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous can be found in most telephone directories. If it is not listed, please write to:
General Service Office, Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163, or visit the website: aa.org.
Here are some brochure suggestions
- HERE ARE THE AA
- Frequently Asked Questions about AA
- ARE AA FOR YOU?
- YOUNG PEOPLE AND AA
- AA WOMEN
- LGBTQ alcoholics from AA
- AA FOR THE OLDER ALCOHOLIC — IT'S NEVER TOO LATE
- The AA Member's Perspective on Medications and Other Drugs
- DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DIFFERENT?
- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT SPONSORSHIP
- IS THERE AN ALCOHOLIC IN YOUR LIFE?
- PROBLEMS OTHER THAN ALCOHOLISM
- JEAN… FACING HIS ALCOHOL PROBLEM…
- THE STORY OF NICOLE
- YOU ARE PROFESSIONALLY INVOLVED IN ALCOHOLISM
- COLLABORATION OF AA MEMBERS
- AA IN YOUR SOCIETY
- A MEMBER'S VIEW ON AA
- THE MEANING OF ANONYMITY
- AA: A RESOURCE FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
- DIFFERENT PATHS TO SPIRITUALITY
- ACCESS TO AA: MEMBERS TELL HOW THEY OVERCOME OBSTACLES
- AA FOR ALCOHOLIC RELATIVES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
For more information, visit www.aa.org (Information for Professionals) or contact the Professional Collaboration Manager at the Office of General Services: cpc@aa.org or 212-870-3400.
Copyright © 2017 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Publication approved by the AA General Service Conference.
Postal address:
Box 459, Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
www.aa.org
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