About AA
Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet to attain and maintain sobriety.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership.
Current Membership: It is estimated that there are more than 114,000 groups and over 2,000,000 members in over 180 countries.
Watch our introductory videos for professionals on this page
Relations With Outside Agencies.
The Fellowship has adopted a policy of “cooperation but not affiliation” with other organisations concerned with the problem of alcoholism. We have no opinion on issues outside A.A. and neither endorse nor oppose any causes.
How A.A. Is Supported
Over the years, Alcoholics Anonymous has affirmed and strengthened a tradition of being fully self-supporting and of neither seeking nor accepting contributions from non-members. Within the Fellowship, the amount that may be contributed by any individual member is limited to $6,000 a year.
How A.A. Members Maintain Sobriety
A.A. is a programme of total abstinence. Members simply stay away from one drink, one day at a time. Sobriety is maintained through sharing experience, strength and hope at group meetings and through the suggested Twelve Steps for recovery from alcoholism.
Why Alcoholics Anonymous Is ‘Anonymous’
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of A.A. It disciplines the Fellowship to govern itself by principles rather than personalities. We are a society of peers. We strive to make known our programme of recovery, not individuals who participate in the program. Anonymity in the public media is assurance to all A.A members, especially to newcomers, that their A.A. membership will not be disclosed.
Anyone May Attend A.A. Open Meetings
Anyone may attend open meetings of A.A. These usually consist of talks by a leader and two or three speakers who share experience as it relates to their alcoholism and their recovery in A.A. Some meetings are held for the specific purpose of informing the nonalcoholic public about A.A. Doctors, members of the clergy, and public officials are invited. Closed discussion meetings are for alcoholics only.
How A.A. Started
A.A. was started in 1935 by a New York stockbroker and an Ohio surgeon (both now deceased), who had been “hopeless” drunks. They founded A.A. in an effort to help others who suffered from the disease of alcoholism and to stay sober themselves. A.A. grew with the formation of autonomous groups, first in the United States and then around the world.
How You Can Find A.A. In Your Town
Look for “Alcoholics Anonymous” in the telephone directory.
What A.A. Does Not Do
A.A. does not: Keep membership records or case histories… engage in or support research… join “councils”
or social agencies (although A.A. members, groups and service offices frequently cooperate with them)… follow up or try to control its members… make medical or psychiatric prognoses or dispense medicines or psychiatric advise… provide drying-out or nursing services or sanatoriums… offer religious services… provide housing, food, clothing, jobs, money, or other welfare or social services… provide domestic or vocational counselling… provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers, court officials, social agencies, employers, etc.
AA is seeking new professional Board Members
We are seeking new Board Members to join the NZ General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, for a commitment of four years. Specifically, we are seeking people with qualifications and skills in:
- a medical profession, ideally with experience or interest in addictions treatment
To apply for the Class A Board Member role, please fill in the nomination(s) form here. Please email the completed form and any supporting information to boardchair@aa.org.nz.