12 Traditions
The 12 traditions grew out of the
Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA) movement and outline the means by which A.A. maintains its unity and relates itself to the world around it. For more information and to see the Traditions illustrated, go to:
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Tradition 1 - 12 Traditions
Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows close afterward. Tradition 2 - 12 Traditions
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. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Tradition 3 - 12 Traditions
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership to ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.
Tradition 4 - 12 Traditions
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience. But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted. And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take action that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare is paramount. Tradition 5 - 12 Traditions
Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose - that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Tradition 6 - 12 Traditions
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. Problems of money, property and authority may easily divert us from our primary spiritual aim. We think, therefore, that any considerable property of genuine use to A.A. should be separately incorporated and managed, thus dividing the material from the spiritual. An A.A. group, as such, should never go into business. Secondary aids to A.A., such as clubs or hospitals which require much property or administration, ought to be incorporated and so set apart that, if necessary, they can be freely discarded by the groups. Hence such facilities ought not to use the A.A. name. Their management should be the sole responsibility of those people who financially support them. For clubs, A.A. managers are usually preferred. But hospitals, as well as other places of recuperation, ought to be well outside A.A. - and medically supervised. While an A.A. group may cooperate with anyone, such cooperation ought never to go so far as affiliation or endorsement, actual or implied. An A.A. group can bind itself to no one. Tradition 7 - 12 Traditions
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money and authority. Tradition 8 - 12 Traditions
Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional. We define professionalism as the occupation of counseling alcoholics for fees or hire. But we may employ alcoholics where they are going to perform those services for which we might otherwise have to engage non-alcoholics. Such special services may be well recompensed. But our usual A.A. "12th Step" work is never to be paid for.
Tradition 9 - 12 Traditions
A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.Each A.A. group needs the least possible organization. Rotating leadership is the best. The small group may elect its secretary, the large group its rotating committee, and the groups of a large metropolitan area their central or inter group committee which often employs a full-time secretary. The trustees of the General Service Board are, in effect, our A.A. General Services committee. They are the custodians of our A.A. Tradition and the receivers of voluntary A.A. contributions by which we maintain our A.A. General Services Office at New York. They are authorized by the groups to handle our over-all public relations and they guarantee the integrity of our principal newspaper, the A.A. Grapevine. All such representatives are to be guided in the spirit of service, for true leaders in A.A. are but trusted and experienced servants of the whole. They derive no real authority from their titles; they do not govern. Universal respect is the key to their usefulness. Tradition 10 - 12 Traditions
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. No A.A. group or member should ever, in such way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside issues - particularly those of politics, alcohol reform or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views what-so-ever. Tradition 11 - 12 Traditions
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.Our relations with the general public should be characterized by personal anonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sensational advertising. Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed or publicly printed. Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better to let our friends recommend us. Tradition 12 - 12 Traditions
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities. And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before personalities; that we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all. [This completes the 12 Traditions]
12 TraditionsThe 12 promises are from Pages 83-84 of the Big Book. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through... - We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
- We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
- We will comprehend the word serenity.
- We will know peace.
- No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
- That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
- We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
- Self-seeking will slip away.
- Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
- Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
- We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
- We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
12 Step Program
Addiction Bible Scriptures
Stress And Spirituality
Christian Counseling
Christian Rehab
Self-Help
Drug Alcohol Counselor
12 Steps And The BibleA Biblical Guide To Addiction Recovery And Healing Instant Download Click HERE!
12 Steps And The Bible is an extremely enlightening 82-page step-by-step guide for people seeking to release God's power in their lives through the 12 Steps. Your life will be transformed as you internalize deep spiritual truths and scriptural insight into each Step. What makes the 12 Steps And The Bible so unique and different is... it goes straight-to-the-heart of the addiction and deals directly with the root of problem. You'll discover why...once you condemn yourself, you are doomed to repeat the cycle of addiction again and again. Numerous biblical tools and references are provided to encourage you to do a spiritual-heart-check at the root of the addiction. As you apply these 12 Steps, you will draw on the Power of God and find freedom from your bondage to addiction. The guide is ideal for those who want to... - Work a 12 Step program at home
- One-on-one with a recovery sponsor
- Or with a pastor and/or a professional counselor
Addictions That Can Be Overcome Using The "12 Steps And The Bible!"- Alcohol Abuse
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Illegal Drug Abuse
- Stop Smoking
- Gambling
- Codependency
- Sex Addiction
- Eating Disorders
As you apply each of these twelve principles faithfully, God will strengthen you and you will come to "know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
"Limited Offer" FREE BONUS Gift!
12 Step eCourse MANIFESTO Recovery Program With A Christ-Centered Approach!This eCourse is designed to unlock, reveal and manifest the power of God in a 12 Step program.

Since 1930, the 12 Steps have been used by millions of people to recover from all sorts of addictions.You'll discover that it's not only drug addicts and alcoholics who are benefiting from this program. In this 12 Step eCourse, you will MANIFEST victory over addictions when you DISCOVER "how to" tap into a power greater than yourself!Almost everyone who suffers from an addiction, no matter what that person is addicted to, can experience personal transformation from this eCourse MANIFESTO 12 Step Program. We're changing the way people work the 12 Steps!
In this eCourse MANIFESTO 12 Step Program you'll feel the Spirit of God infiltrate every-fiber-of-your-being as you discover how to manifest the 12 Steps to empower your life! This Recovery eCourse Will Reveal and Manifest: - 73 Pages - 50 Lessons - Hidden Recovery Treasures
- Personal Step-By-Step Recovery eCourse
- How to Get Your Prayers Answered and Spiritual Guidance
- Goal-Setting Tips and Life-Success Strategies
- Group Discussion Questions
- Intriguing Comparisons Between God and Addiction
- Insightful and Helpful Information on Abuse vs Addiction
Yours today as our GIFT ($27.00 Value) with your purchase of the 12 Steps And The Bible!Click HERE to get your 12 Steps And The Bible ebook and the eCourse MANIFESTO 12 Step Program BONUS now!
Don't Forget To Sign Up For Your FREE Ezine!
The Recovery Network Ezine called: "Breaking News" On Addictions & Recovery is a monthly resource of fresh up-to-date information from people who have been-there- done-that and learned how to live happy, joyous and free in Recovery, one-day-at-a-time.You'll get the latest information on what's happening in the "Addictions Recovery Industry."
Click HERE To Sign Up!
To Read BACK ISSUES Click HERE
Addiction Recovery Gifts & Merchandise Apparel, Jewelry, Medallions, Books, DVD's and More!
GO TO Sobriety Mall
FROM 12 Traditions BACK TO 12 Step Program
You can SEARCH this entire website by adding a Keyword(s) to the Google Search Box to find the exact topic you are looking for. (i.e., drugs, alcohol, teen drug abuse, statistics, etc.)

|