The 12 Traditions are guiding principles to help Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups fulfill the mission of supporting people battling alcohol addiction on their path to recovery. Read on to learn more about the 12 Traditions of and how to find support for alcohol addiction.

What are The 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?

The 12 Traditions of AA are guidelines for navigating relationships between members, AA groups, the global fellowship, and the community as a whole.¹First published in April 1946, this framework details program fundamentals to maintain unity and impact.¹

The 12 Traditions are as follows:¹

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.
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.
The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
AA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need to always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

What Do The 12 Traditions of AA Mean?

The 12 Traditions of AA represent how members should interact to maintain the group’s structure and well-being. AA 12 Traditions cover essentials, like membership requirements, the program’s purpose, and the public relations policy.¹ These guiding principles preserve AA’s harmony and effectiveness as a fellowship. Here’s a breakdown of each tradition and its purpose.

Tradition 1: Unity & Common Welfare

The first of the 12 Traditions focuses on the significance of unity. It highlights how every member is part of a greater whole and purpose.¹ Protecting the common welfare of each member ensures AA continues to help those battling addiction remain focused on recovery. With this tradition, members uphold each other’s well-being while also caring for their own.¹

Tradition 2: God as a Leader

Tradition 2 emphasizes that there is only one ultimate authority in AA, a loving God (or higher power of your understanding).¹ AA views leaders as dedicated helpers, not rulers.¹ This tradition maintains equality and humility among members, ensuring that the group’s collective conscience guides decisions. It also prioritizes spiritual guidance as the final authority, creating mutual respect among members.

Tradition 3: Membership Requirements of AA

Tradition 3 states that the sole requirement to join AA is a desire to stop drinking.¹ This tradition also highlights that AA membership will never depend on other factors, like conformity or money.¹ Tradition 3 ensures groups welcome anyone who wishes to reach recovery with open arms, regardless of their circumstances.

Tradition 4: Group Autonomy

The fourth of the AA 12 Traditions describes how each group is only responsible for itself.¹ Still, if a group’s plans affect neighboring groups, they should consult with them.¹

This tradition also explains that groups, members, or regional committees shouldn’t take actions that could wholly impact the fellowship without consulting the Trustees of the General Service Board.¹ Tradition 4 ensures group autonomy while protecting AA’s unity and integrity across all fellowship levels.

Tradition 5: Carrying the Message to Others

Tradition 5 highlights each group’s sole purpose, which is spreading its message to others battling alcohol addiction.¹ This tradition keeps members accountable in recovery while bringing awareness to its mission of supporting those still struggling with alcohol misuse. Focusing solely on this purpose maintains clarity and preserves the fellowship’s effectiveness.

Tradition 6: No Endorsements of Outside Enterprises

Tradition 6 details that the fellowship must stay independent.¹ It prevents groups from lending the AA name to or aligning with businesses, hospitals, politics, and other outside causes.¹ This tradition emphasizes separating material things, like money and property, from the fellowship.¹ Tradition 6 ensures AA groups stay focused on their primary spiritual goal.

Tradition 7: Groups Should Be Self-Supporting

The seventh of the 12 Traditions discusses that every group must fully rely on its members to support it.¹ This tradition prohibits fundraising or accepting large gifts from any outside agency.¹ Tradition 7 preserves the fellowship’s spiritual foundation by avoiding potential disputes over authority, money, or property, which could weaken AA’s purpose.

Tradition 8: AA Shall Remain Non-Professional

Tradition 8 describes how AA should always remain non-professional.¹ This means members help others as a form of service and not as a paid occupation. This tradition also mentions how groups may employ special workers in recovery, particularly if they would otherwise hire someone not in recovery to do the same job.¹

Tradition 8 ensures fellowship accessibility for everyone, regardless of their finances. It also preserves the spirit of equality and mutual help. Members share their experiences and compassion to support others in recovery, not for money.

Tradition 9: AA Should Never Be an Organized Business

Tradition 9 emphasizes that AA should avoid a rigid structure.¹ It encourages as little organization as possible, highlighting that rotating leadership is most appropriate.¹

Still, the fellowship uses trusted servants and service boards to coordinate public relations and other efforts.¹ This tradition ensures leaders are always accountable to the members they serve and maintain universal respect.

Tradition 10: Remain Neutral Toward Outside Controversy

The tenth of the AA 12 Traditions prohibits groups or members from expressing opinions on outside controversial issues, such as alcohol reform, politics, or religion.¹ This tradition protects the fellowship’s unity and neutrality, keeping the focus on alcohol addiction recovery. Tradition 10 prevents division among members and provides a welcoming space for everyone seeking support.

Tradition 11: Public Relations

Tradition 11 emphasizes fellowship growth by lived experience and word of mouth, instead of advertising.1 Groups avoid self-promotion, focusing on spreading the message through members.¹

This tradition protects members’ privacy and ensures no one person becomes the face of AA. It also builds trust based on lived experience, keeping the fellowship humble and focused on service.

Tradition 12: Anonymity for Members

The twelfth Tradition highlights protecting member anonymity.¹ This tradition reminds members that everyone in the group is equal and encourages practicing genuine humility. It also highlights remaining grateful to the ultimate higher power.¹

Tradition 12 not only protects members’ privacy. It also prevents ego from disrupting recovery by keeping the focus on the message instead of the individual.

Finding Help for Alcohol Addiction

If you or a loved one is already in a 12-Step program, rehab may also be beneficial. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is home to premium treatment centers nationwide. Here are some of the levels of care we offer:

If you are ready to find treatment options for yourself or a loved one, get started with our free rehab locator tool. Find addiction treatment facilities that take insurance, inpatient rehabs, outpatient rehab programs, and more.

The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)