Is AA For You?

 Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. 

The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. 

Participation is 100% anonymous. We do not report your participation to anyone and we do not repeat anything you say.  Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.  Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. 

As anonymity is the “spiritual foundation of all our Traditions,” AA Alcoholics Anonymous observe anonymity at all times.

In 2013, the 63rd General Service Conference affirmed that “the Internet, social media, and all forms of public communications are implicit in the last phrase of the short form of Tradition Eleven, which reads: ‘…at the level of press, radio, and films.'"

In simplest form, this means that A.A.s do not publicly identify themselves as A.A. members using their full names and/or full-face images.

Modern communication in AA Alcoholics Anonymous is flowing and advancing in high-tech, relatively open-ended and evolves quickly. Protecting anonymity is a major concern for members, who are accessing the Internet in ever-growing numbers. 

When we use digital media, we are responsible for our own anonymity and for protecting that of others. When we post, text, or blog, we should consider whether we are breaking our anonymity or the anonymity of our fellow AAs.

"None of us would be here today if somebody hadn't taken time to explain things to us, to give us a little pat on the back, to take us to a meeting or two, to do numerous little kind and thoughtful acts in our behalf.

So let us never get such a degree of smug complacency that we're not willing to extend, or attempt to extend, to our less fortunate brothers (and sisters) that help which has been so beneficial to us." - Dr. Bob

To keep it, you have to give it away.

Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. – ( Big Book How It Works, p.58)

Our Twelve Steps,... resolve themselves into the words “love” and “service.” We understand what love is, and we understand what service is. So let's bear those two things in mind, always.   

Let us also remember to guard our tongue, and if we must use it, let's use it with kindness  and consideration and tolerance. 

... Most responsible for our growth as a fellowship and most vital to our continuity, I would say, (is) the “Concept of Anonymity.”

Anonymity has two attributes essential to our individual and collective survival; the spiritual and the practical.

On the spiritual level, anonymity demands the greatest discipline of which we are capable; on the practical level, anonymity has brought protection for the newcomer, respect, the support of the world outside, and security.

Since the book, Alcoholics Anonymous first appeared in 1939, this basic text has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism.

Currently available in the General Service Conference-approved Fourth Edition, the Big Book contains the stories of the co-founders, as well as many members of diverse backgrounds who have found recovery in the worldwide Fellowship.

Buy your copy at the TARA Club.

Literature published by A.A. World Services, Inc. is a resource for the recovering alcoholic and for anyone who wants to find out about Alcoholics Anonymous, its history, and how it works. General Service Conference-approved literature reflects the group conscience of the Fellowship of A.A. and includes the book Alcoholics Anonymous (affectionately known by members as the Big Book.

AA literature may be purchased in the TARA Club office.

Do you live with or have an:

Alcoholic Spouse/Partner

Alcoholic Child/Teen

Alcoholic Parent

Alcoholic Sibling

Alcoholic Friend

Grandchild in an Alcoholic Home

Al-Anon can help. Check Announcements and the Weekly Meeting Schedule for TARA Club Al-Anon based resources. 

Our personal situations and experiences may be different, but we share as equals because of what we have in common: our lives have been affected by another person's drinking.

Al-Anon is a mutual support group.

We can find understanding and support when we share our common experiences with each other. 

Some come to Al-Anon because their spouse or partner has struggled with alcoholism. 

For others, the problem drinker is a parent, child, grandchild, brother, sister or close friend. 

Many who come to Al-Anon are in despair, feeling hopeless, unable to believe that things can ever change. We want our lives to be different, but nothing we have done has brought about change. We all come to Al-Anon because we want and need help.

In Al-Anon members share their own experiences, strengths, and hopes with each other. You will meet others who share your feelings and frustrations, if not your exact situation. We come together to learn a better way of life.