Tradition Description
1. Unity ~ Common welfare comes first. Without unity within the group, members of 12 step support groups will find it difficult to make progress.
2. Leadership ~There is an ultimate authority, God or a higher power. In 12-step groups, there is no such thing as individual authority or governance, but there are group leaders.
3. Eligibility ~The only requirement in AA is a desire to stop drinking. The emphasis on this tradition is to keep the primary focus of the fellowship from becoming diluted.
4. Autonomy ~The freedom individual groups have in this tradition carries with it the admonition to protect the fellowship as a whole.
5. Carrying the message ~The primary purpose of any 12-step group is to carry its message and give comfort to others who are still suffering.
6. Outside enterprises ~In order to preserve the integrity of the program, groups do not endorse any outside organizations and causes.
7. Self-supporting ~By declining outside contributions, the group protects its basic structure and is self-supporting.
8. Giving it away ~The 12-step program is free. There is a saying in the rooms, “In order to keep it, you must give it away, with the keyword “give.”
9. Organization ~By not being highly organized, support groups keep the emphasis on true fellowship and their primary purpose. There may be committees or a secretary to help with handling contributions.
10. Outside Opinions ~By avoiding opinions on outside issues such as politics, alcohol reform or religion, AA and Al-Anon avoids controversy.
11. Public Relations ~Anonymity in the media protects not only the individual member but the fellowship as a whole. It is AA’s public relations policy to attract rather than promote.
12. Anonymity ~A hallmark of 12-step recovery programs is the offer of anonymity to participants.
(Submitted by Robert McEwen, H.W., M.)