In 1939, the opinion of the doctor who treated Bill Wilson and thousands of other alcoholics was expressed: “The subject presented in this book (the AA Big Book) seems to me of utmost importance for those affected by alcohol addiction. I say this after many years of experience as the medical director of one of the oldest hospitals in the country treating alcohol and drug addictions. Therefore, I had a real sense of satisfaction when I was asked to dedicate a few words to the subject presented in such great detail in this book. We, as doctors, have long recognized that mental psychology is of urgent importance to alcoholics, but the consequences derived from it are beyond our understanding. Considering our ultra-modern standards, our scientific approach to everything, it is possible that we are not sufficiently equipped to summon the forces of good, which lie beyond the reach of our synthetic knowledge.”

In the early days, recovering alcoholics were greatly influenced by a spiritual leader named Emmet Fox, a connection made through Fox’s secretary, who was the mother of one of the people working with the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (Bill W). As a result of this connection, some members of AA frequently went to hear Fox. His writings, particularly *The Sermon on the Mount*, fascinated Bill W and made the book popular within AA.

This is the introduction as it appeared in the first printing of the first edition in 1939: “We from Alcoholics Anonymous are a group of more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless mental and physical condition. The primary purpose of this book is to show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered. We hope that these pages will be so convincing that no other proof will be necessary. We think that our record will help anyone better understand the alcoholic. Many people do not realize that the alcoholic is a very sick person. Moreover, we are confident that our way of life has advantages for everyone.”

In 1939, the organization had about one hundred members (Alcoholics Anonymous, 1989, p. xii). The first edition of the AA book marked the moment when the then-unnamed organization received its current name. Until the early 1940s, AA’s growth was steady but relatively moderate. In 1941, a favorable article on AA by journalist Jack Alexander was published in a popular newspaper (*Saturday Evening Post*). As a result, the organization experienced a steep rise in the number of groups and members, spreading beyond the borders of the United States. By 1989, the organization was estimated to have around 1.6 million members in seventy-six thousand groups in 119 countries (ibid, p. xv).

Journalist Jack Alexander (1941) published an article where he highlighted the uniqueness of AA, writing: “Here lies much of the unique power of a movement which, in the last six years, has led to the recovery of around 2,000 men and women, a large percentage of whom were considered medically hopeless. Doctors and clergy, working separately or together, always managed to save a few cases. In rare instances, alcoholics found their own methods of recovery. But recovery from alcoholism was negligible. The alcoholic, being sensitive and suspicious by nature, likes to work out his mystery alone and has a convenient way of ignoring the tragedy he causes in the meantime to those close to him. He clings desperately to the belief that, although he has been unable to handle alcohol in the past, he will eventually succeed in becoming a controlled drinker. He is one of the strangest creatures of medicine, often not an intelligent or particularly sharp person.”

There is no false excuse for drinking that Alcoholics Anonymous hasn’t heard or used themselves. When one of their potential clients gives such rationalizations and then gets drunk, they respond based on their personal experience. This irritates him a little, and he becomes defensive. He looks at their tidy clothes and smoothly shaved faces and accuses them of being “good kids” who don’t know what it means to struggle with alcohol. They respond by sharing their own painful personal stories. This was part of an article that promoted AA membership.

The book *Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions* was published in 1953, written by founders Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob, where they shared their experiences from 18 years of personal recovery and that of other alcoholics. In recent years, many AA members have tried to attribute the professional sources of the ideas found in the *Twelve Steps*, perhaps to expand on them. However, the connection to the historical origin and the way the book is presented, which has helped millions of people around the world, has left the book unchanged. In 2002, at the World Conference in the U.S., it was announced that the book would remain forever in the original form written by Bill Wilson for the *Twelve Steps* and *Twelve Traditions* (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2014).

Bill Wilson (1895-1971) was one of the two co-founders of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). His personal experiences and leadership were critical to the organization’s success. After years of heavy drinking and numerous failed attempts to quit, Bill was considered a hopeless alcoholic. He had tried spiritual groups and hospital treatments, but inevitably and willingly returned to drinking. His wife, Mrs. Wilson, remarked that he might either die from alcohol or need to be forcibly admitted to an asylum.

While staying in private hospitals, he had a spiritual experience that removed his compulsion and obsession to drink. His experience became the foundation for the *Twelve Steps*, particularly the recognition of a Higher Power. Bill also realized that his responsibility was to work with other recovering alcoholics, understanding that this personal need was essential for him to remain sober.

He developed this practice as a core principle of AA after his spiritual experience in 1935. He had been sober for several months, but a failed business meeting led him to crave a drink. Instead of giving in, he went to a church library, found a phone directory, and began calling to ask if anyone could connect him with other alcoholics. Eventually, he was introduced to Dr. Robert Smith, known as Dr. Bob. During their ongoing friendship, Bill encouraged Dr. Bob as he struggled to stay sober. This, in turn, helped Bill maintain his own commitment to sobriety, and the concepts of sponsorship and service were established (Stepping Stones, 2015).

A member who takes on a service or organizing role is considered a “trusted servant” with rotating and limited terms, typically lasting from three months to two years, determined by group vote and the nature of the role. Each group operates autonomously, with AA World Services acting in an advisory capacity only. AA is entirely run by alcoholics, except for seven “non-alcoholic trustees” who serve on the 21-member AA Board of Trustees.

AA groups are self-supporting, relying on voluntary contributions from members to cover expenses. The General Service Office (GSO) of AA limits individual donations to $3,000 per year. Above the group level, AA may hire outside professionals for services requiring specialized expertise or full-time responsibility.

Like individual groups, the GSO is self-supporting. AA generates more than 50% of its income from book and literature sales for its GSO. In accordance with AA’s Seventh Tradition, the central office fully supports itself through literature sales and voluntary donations from AA members and groups. It does not accept donations from individuals or organizations outside of AA.

In line with AA’s Eighth Tradition, the central office employs special workers who are compensated for their services, but their work does not include directly working with alcoholics in need (the “Twelfth Step”). All Twelfth Step calls that reach the central office are referred to sober AA members who have volunteered to handle these requests. Additionally, service centers carry out activities such as printing literature, responding to public inquiries, and organizing conferences. Other international General Service Offices (Australia, Costa Rica, Russia, etc.) operate independently from AA World Services in New York.