Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism.(Source) AA describes itself as a nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical organization that is open to anyone who has a desire to stop drinking.(Source)

AA is not a treatment center, religious group, or counseling service. Instead, it is a community-based support network where members attend meetings, work the 12 steps, and support one another in maintaining sobriety. Many people use AA alongside professional addiction treatment, therapy, or medication-assisted treatment as part of a comprehensive recovery plan.(Source)

In 2024, AA estimated that there were over 2 million members and more than 120,000 groups meeting in over 180 countries, and the fellowship continues to grow as in-person, hybrid, and online meetings expand worldwide.(Source)

Alcoholics Anonymous began in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, when Bill Wilson (Bill W.) and Dr. Robert Smith (Dr. Bob) met while both were struggling with alcoholism.(Source) Bill W. had been involved with the Oxford Group, a Christian-based self-help movement that emphasized honesty, confession, and spiritual growth. Many of AA’s early principles, such as personal inventory, making amends, and spiritual development, were influenced by the Oxford Group.(Source)

Bill W. discovered that talking with another person who had the same problem helped him stay sober. When he met Dr. Bob, they began working together and supporting each other in recovery. Their success led them to share their approach with other people who were struggling with alcohol, and this small group eventually grew into Alcoholics Anonymous.(Source)

In 1939, AA published its basic text, *Alcoholics Anonymous*, often called the “Big Book.” The book outlined the 12 steps and shared personal stories of recovery, helping spread AA’s message across the United States and, eventually, around the world.(Source)

Alcoholics Anonymous is open to anyone who has a desire to stop drinking, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or disability status.(Source) The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking, and there are no dues or fees for membership; groups are self-supporting through voluntary contributions.(Source)

AA meetings can be:

• Closed meetings – For people who identify as having a problem with alcohol or who have a desire to stop drinking.
• Open meetings – Open to anyone interested in AA, including family members, friends, students, and professionals who want to learn more.

AA groups exist in cities, suburbs, and rural communities, as well as in hospitals, treatment centers, correctional facilities, and online. There are also specialized meetings, such as women’s groups, LGBTQ+ groups, young people’s groups, and meetings in different languages, to help people find a community where they feel comfortable and understood.(Source)

As of the mid-2020s, AA reports more than 2 million members in over 180 countries, reflecting its global reach and accessibility.(Source)

AA is built on the idea that people with alcoholism can help each other stay sober by sharing their experiences and following a set of spiritual principles known as the 12 steps.(Source) While AA is not affiliated with any religion, it does encourage members to develop a personal understanding of a “Higher Power,” which can be interpreted in many different ways, including non-religious or secular perspectives.(Source)

For many people, attending meetings, working with a sponsor, and practicing the 12 steps provide structure, accountability, and emotional support. AA emphasizes anonymity, which helps create a safe space where members can speak openly without fear of stigma or judgment.(Source)

AA is often used alongside professional treatment. Research suggests that participation in mutual-help groups like AA is associated with higher rates of abstinence and improved long-term recovery outcomes, especially when combined with evidence-based addiction treatment.(Source)

AA groups are autonomous and self-governing, guided by AA’s 12 traditions rather than by a central authority.(Source) Each group typically has members who volunteer for service roles such as chairing meetings, managing group finances, or welcoming newcomers.

Key aspects of AA’s structure include:

• Peer leadership – Meetings are led by members who are themselves in recovery, not by professionals. Many leaders have worked the 12 steps and share their experience with newer members.
• Self-supporting groups – AA does not accept outside contributions. Groups are funded by voluntary member donations, which help cover rent, literature, and basic expenses.(Source)
• Anonymity – Members generally use first names only and agree to protect each other’s privacy. Anonymity is considered a spiritual foundation of AA, helping keep the focus on principles rather than personalities.(Source)
• Group autonomy – Each group can decide how to run its meetings, as long as it does not conflict with AA’s traditions and primary purpose: to help alcoholics achieve sobriety.(Source)

Because everyone in the room has personal experience with alcohol problems, newcomers often find it easier to open up and feel understood. This shared experience is a core part of what makes AA supportive and effective for many people.

The 12 steps are a set of guiding principles that members work through, often with the help of a sponsor. They focus on honesty, self-examination, making amends, spiritual growth, and helping others.(Source)

The 12 Steps of AA are:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.(Source)

While the language of the steps is spiritual, many members interpret them in a way that fits their own beliefs and values, including secular or non-theistic approaches.(Source) The steps are meant to be worked gradually and revisited over time as part of ongoing recovery.

In addition to the 12 steps, AA is guided by the 12 traditions, which help protect the fellowship’s unity, independence, and focus on its primary purpose.(Source)

The 12 traditions emphasize principles such as:

• Unity – The welfare of the group and the fellowship as a whole comes first.
• Primary purpose – AA’s main goal is to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
• Non-professionalism – AA members do not act as paid therapists or counselors within the fellowship.
• Self-support – Groups decline outside contributions to remain independent.
• Anonymity and humility – Personal anonymity at the public level helps keep the focus on recovery rather than individual personalities.

These traditions help ensure that AA remains a safe, nonjudgmental space where members can share openly, knowing that the group’s focus is on recovery from alcoholism, not outside issues or controversies.(Source)

Although each AA group is autonomous, many meetings follow a similar general format:(Source)

• Opening – The meeting may begin with a reading from AA literature, such as the preamble, a section of the Big Book, or the 12 steps and 12 traditions.
• Introductions – Members may introduce themselves by first name only. Newcomers are often welcomed but are not required to speak.
• Sharing – Members share their experiences with drinking, recovery, and the 12 steps. Sharing is voluntary; you can simply listen if you prefer.
• Topic or format – Some meetings focus on a specific topic (such as gratitude, relapse prevention, or step work), while others may be speaker meetings, step studies, or discussion meetings.
• Closing – Meetings usually end with a brief reading or prayer, and sometimes with members forming a circle.

You are not required to share, sign anything, or commit to anything at your first meeting. Many people attend several meetings just to listen and get a feel for the group before deciding how they want to participate.(Source)

Joining AA is simple: you just show up at a meeting. There are no applications, membership forms, or fees.(Source)

Finding a meeting

• Use the official AA meeting locator or local AA intergroup websites to search for in-person, online, or hybrid meetings by city, ZIP code, language, or meeting type.(Source)
• Many areas list meetings held in hospitals, treatment centers, and community centers, as well as virtual meetings accessible by phone or video.

Attending your first meeting

• Arrive a few minutes early if you can; this can give you time to introduce yourself to the greeter or chairperson.
• Let someone know you are new if you feel comfortable. Many groups have newcomer packets or volunteers who can answer questions.
• You are free to leave at any time if you feel uncomfortable, and you are not obligated to speak.

Online and hybrid meetings

Since 2020, AA has significantly expanded its online presence, with thousands of meetings now available via video and phone across time zones.(Source) This makes it easier to find a meeting that fits your schedule, mobility needs, or comfort level.

If you or a loved one has questions about AA or how it fits into a broader treatment plan, our team at Cardinal Recovery can help you explore your options and connect you with appropriate resources.

Alcoholics Anonymous is one of several tools that can support recovery from alcohol use disorder. Many people benefit from combining AA with professional treatment and other supports.(Source)

AA and professional treatment

Evidence-based treatment for alcohol use disorder may include medical detox, inpatient or outpatient rehab, counseling, and medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram.(Source) AA can complement these services by providing ongoing peer support, structure, and a sense of community after formal treatment ends.

Other mutual-help and 12-step–inspired programs

In addition to AA, there are related fellowships and alternatives, such as:

• Al-Anon and Alateen – For family members and loved ones affected by someone else’s drinking.(Source)
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – A 12-step fellowship for people recovering from drug addiction.(Source)
• SMART Recovery and other secular groups – Non-12-step programs that use cognitive-behavioral and self-management tools.(Source)

No single approach works for everyone. Some people find AA to be a central part of their recovery, while others prefer different support models or use a combination of resources. A personalized treatment plan can help you or your loved one decide how AA fits into your overall recovery journey.(Source)

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol, you do not have to face it alone. Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that can be effectively treated with a combination of professional care and ongoing support.(Source)

At Cardinal Recovery, we offer evidence-based treatment for alcohol addiction and can help you:

• Understand whether AA or other support groups may be a good fit.
• Coordinate care that includes therapy, medical support, and community-based recovery resources.
• Build a long-term relapse prevention and aftercare plan.

Reaching out for help is a courageous first step. Our team is here to answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and connect you with the support you need to begin or strengthen your recovery.