The History of the Twelve Traditions

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It is evident that the history of the Twelve Traditions was instrumental and essential in the formation and development of the Alcoholics Anonymous organization.

The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous

The following represents the twelve traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous:

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
2. 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.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. 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.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. 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.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

source:  Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

The Origins of the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous

During its first decade, the early members of Alcoholics Anonymous developed a number of practices and procedures that fostered the continuation of the informal structure of the organization.

In 1946, in the organization's international journal entitled the Alcoholics Anonymous Grapevine, the aforementioned principles and guidelines were documented by the founders and early members and became known as the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. 

It is apparent that the history of the Twelve Traditions was instrumental in the history of the Alcoholics Anonymous organization.

The History of the Twelve Traditions:  Conclusion

It can be stated with certainty that the history of the Twelve Traditions was foundational and necessary in the creation and further development of the Alcoholics Anonymous Society.

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