The Twelve Traditions

Tradition 1: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.

This tradition emphasizes the importance of unity within the group, as individual recovery is dependent on the strength and cohesion of the group as a whole.

Tradition 2: For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

This tradition highlights the idea that authority in A.A. is derived from the collective conscience of the group, with leaders serving rather than ruling.

Tradition 3: The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.

This tradition ensures that A.A. remains open and accessible to anyone who wants to overcome their addiction, without any other prerequisites or conditions.

Tradition 4: Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.

This tradition grants individual A.A. groups the freedom to operate independently, as long as their actions do not harm other groups or the broader A.A. community.

Tradition 5: Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

This tradition focuses on the core mission of A.A., which is to help those who are still struggling with alcoholism by sharing the message of recovery.

Tradition 6: An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

This tradition protects A.A. from becoming entangled in external issues that could distract from its primary mission of helping alcoholics.

Tradition 7: Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

This tradition ensures that A.A. remains independent and self-sustaining, free from the influence of external funding or donations.

Tradition 8: Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

This tradition maintains the non-professional nature of A.A., while acknowledging that certain functions within the organization may require paid workers to manage effectively.

Tradition 9: A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

This tradition emphasizes the informal and voluntary structure of A.A., while allowing for the creation of service boards or committees to manage specific tasks.

Tradition 10: Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

This tradition keeps A.A. focused solely on its mission of helping alcoholics, avoiding involvement in external controversies or issues.

Tradition 11: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.

This tradition promotes the idea that A.A. should attract members through the effectiveness of its program rather than through advertising, while also protecting members' anonymity in public media.

Tradition 12: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

This tradition underscores the importance of humility and anonymity in A.A., ensuring that the focus remains on the collective principles rather than individual members.

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