The 12 Traditions of AA — What They Are and Why They Matter

The 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous are less well-known than the 12 Steps, but equally important. Where the Steps describe how individual members recover, the Traditions describe how the fellowship itself survives and stays unified. They are the reason AA has remained effective and free from the controversies that destroy other organizations.

The Most Essential Traditions

Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity. Tradition Three: The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Tradition Twelve: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Why Every Member Should Know Them

The Traditions explain why AA doesn't endorse outside causes, why groups stay self-supporting, why anonymity matters at the level of press and media. Understanding them makes you a better group member, a better sponsor, and a better participant in the fellowship that's keeping you sober.

Read all 12 Traditions with full Bill Wilson commentary in the 12&12 inside AABlueBook. Free year on iOS: bit.ly/aabfree.