AA and Therapy

[Ready for Fall 2026]

Modified: 2026-08-04 12:09 PM CDST

• 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.

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)--
  • Home page of Alcoholics Anonymous users may select English, Spanish, or French versions of the page. Provides basic information about AA.