Membership

Membership in Alcoholics Anonymous

The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.

This simple statement, found in AA’s Third Tradition, means that membership in AA is entirely a matter for the individual. Each person decides for themselves whether they belong in AA. No one has the authority to accept or refuse another person’s membership.

AA does not keep records of its members or maintain official statistics about membership. Participation is voluntary, and anonymity remains an important principle within the Fellowship.

These groups form a Fellowship of people helping one another stay sober, sharing experience, strength and hope with anyone who wants to recover from alcoholism.

Participation in AA

Members participate in AA in many different ways. For some, participation simply means attending meetings and sharing their experience with others.

For others, it may involve helping their group function or taking part in AA’s wider service structure.

However members choose to participate, the aim is the same: supporting one another in recovery and helping ensure that the hand of AA is there for those who are still seeking help.