~ 12 TRADITIONS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ~
Contained In The Big Book, Page 562.


1. OUR COMMON WELFARE SHOULD COME FIRST; PERSONAL RECOVERY DEPENDS ON A.A. UNITY.

2. FOR OUR GROUP PURPOSE THERE IS BUT ONE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY, A LOVING GOD AS HE EXPESSES HIMSELF IN OUR GROUP CONSCIENCE. OUR LEADERS ARE 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 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!

©. 2001 A.A. World Services, Inc. The Big Book, Pg. 562