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Alcoholics Anonymous ( A.a )

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Founded in 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is a 12-step spiritual program for those who have a desire to stop drinking. It is open to all those who seek help all over the world. Thousands of alcoholics have become victorious because of the spiritual foundation it was built on. In 1939 the first book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was published. It held all of the struggles and hope filled stories of some of the first alcoholics that joined the group. This book, later called “The Big Book”, would lay down all of the suggestions for an alcoholic if he or she wanted to live a sober life. The program focuses on the 12 steps to help newcomers adjust to this way of life. Upon entering the program, it is suggested that the newcomer pick a sponsor to help guide them through the steps. Furthermore, service work within the fellowship is also recommended. The sole purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous is to help someone achieve sobriety. As a non-alcoholic, it is easy to look at a fellowship as big as A.A. and think there may be other motives. There is no other purpose in A.A. In the Big Book, it states, “Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.” To have any other mission would be to destroy the foundation this program was built on. Alcoholic Anonymous is for any sex, race and religious background. The program targets anyone with an alcohol problem. In some of the meetings, I have attended, members were as young as 14 and as old as 90. That is one of

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