AA and Therapy

Modified: 2020-04-23

Are you a friend of Bill's? Bill was Bill Wilson, founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The sentence, "Are you a friend of Bill's?" is the code phrase used by members to identify themselves to each other. As discussed in the text, AA has become extremely successful and has spawned a number of other similar groups. What happens in these groups? What do members do? How do they work?

AA provides members with an instant alternative social group. That group is literally worldwide, so members can find other members anywhere they go.

AA provides a structure for the remainder of a person's life. This is part of the conversion experience mentioned in the text. Members exchange their old way of life and their old friends for new ones. Parties, conventions, and the daily meetings all provide that structure.

AA members develop a kind of institutionalized self-knowledge. They all must admit (at some point) that they have been drunks. They also must admit that the best they can hope for is to be a "recovering alcoholic." AA does not admit to any cures for alcoholism.

For some members, meeting attendance becomes a nearly religious act. The rest of the day may revolve around the meeting time. The meeting is the most important part of the day for those members.

The Twelve Steps provide a long-term structure for future growth and personal development.

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