These traditions are essential in AA, as well as other groups that are modeled on the same principles.
In 1953, he published the book, “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.”
What Are the 12 Traditions of AA?
Image Source / Getty Images
Click below to listen now.
Tradition 1: Unity
Our common welfare should come first; personal progress depends upon AA unity.
Tradition 1 also helps to ensure cohesion while honoring all voices in an open dialogue.
Both AA and Al-Anon are structured to provide a platform for everyone, even those with minority views.
This helps prevent the divisiveness that can undermine not only the group but each member of the group.
Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
But There Are Leaders…
Tradition 2 has been misquoted many times as “we have no leaders.”
Groups clearly have other types of “leaders.”
These are leaders, too, but they do not govern, either.
Tradition 3: Eligibility
The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
This is spelled out in Tradition 5.
Each member has a personal reason for coming back week after week.
But as agroupthey have but one purpose, to reach out to others who are still suffering.
An old-timer was once asked why he kept coming back after all these years.
The Al-Anon version adds: “Although a separate entity, we should always cooperate with Alcoholics Anonymous.”
This process can be interrupted if the group spends part of the allotted time for discussion of outside activities.
When a group’s discussion becomes dominated by outside issues, it robs individual members of their meeting time.
In short, Tradition 6 ensures unity within the group.
Tradition 7: Self-Supporting
Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
One of the principles of12-step support groupsis that each member is responsible for their own recovery.
Tradition 7 says that 12-step groups are self-supporting through their own contributions.
These contributions are used to employ special workers and maintain the district, area, and worldwide structure.
Declining these contributions keeps the fellowship independent from outside influences.
It also cuts out the need to constantly chase donor funding and government grants.
Anytime a newcomer reaches out for help, they will receive it, free of charge.
It’s how the 12-step programs work.
There is a saying in the rooms, “for keep it, you must give it away.”
Going to a professional counselor is different from going to a group of others who are in recovery.
There is no authority the member can rebel against.
Members understand the difference between paying for support services but not paying for professional counselors.
By not being highly organized, support groups keep the emphasis on true fellowship and their primary purpose.
Unlike many other traditions,Tradition 9does not require much from its members.
In the real world, businesses and other groups are “organized.”
But in the 12-step group, no one has this kind of authority.
The groups are a “fellowship of equals.”
Decisions are made by the group as a whole and not by one or a few members.
There may be committees or a secretary to help with handling contributions.
If no one is in authority, how are “executive” decisions made?
Decisions are made by the group as a whole through what is known as a group conscience vote.
It does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause."
Anonymity in the media protects not only the individual member but the fellowship as a whole.
It is AA’s public relations policy to attract rather than promote.
Part of Tradition 11 is not using full names or naming groups.
He might simply say he is in “a recovery group.”
What happens if that personrelapses?
A member does not cede this responsibility to a spokesperson or promotion campaign.
A hallmark of 12-step recovery programs is the offer of anonymity to participants.
Anonymity helps protect the group and keep the focus on principles rather than personalities.
What they find instead is a fellowship of equals who are gathered together for mutual support.
There are no doctors, therapists, or counselors, only other members who have had the same problem.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Alcoholics Anonymous.Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services; 2012.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US).6, Drug Cultures and the Culture of Recovery.
Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014.
(Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No.
2013;74(6):965-976. doi:10.15288/jsad.2013.74.965
Al-Anon.Suggested preamble.
Alcoholics Anonymous.Alcoholics Anonymous, The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism.
Literary Licensing, LLC; 2012.
Donovan DM, Ingalsbe MH, Benbow J, Daley DC.
12-step interventions and mutual support programs for substance use disorders: An overview.Soc Work Public Health.
2013;28(3-4):313-332. doi:10.1080/19371918.2013.774663
