A.A.’s Twelve Traditions apply to the life of the fellowship
itself. They outline the means by which A.A. maintains its
unity and relates itself to the world about it, the way it
lives and grows.
(from the Book 12 Steps & 12 Traditions)
The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, Short Form
also see the long form
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Our common welfare
should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
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For our group purpose there is but
one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in
our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they
do not govern.
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The only requirement for A.A.
membership is a desire to stop drinking.
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Each group should be autonomous
except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
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Each group has but one primary
purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
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An A.A. group ought never endorse,
finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside
enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert
us from our primary purpose.
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Every A.A. group ought to be fully
self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
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Alcoholics Anonymous should remain
forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ
special workers.
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A.A., as such, ought never be
organized; but we may create service boards or committees
directly responsible to those they serve.
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Alcoholics Anonymous has no
opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be
drawn into public controversy.
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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.
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Anonymity is the spiritual
foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place
principles before personalities.
Reprinted with permision of Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing
(now known as Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)
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