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Alcoholics Anonymous
West Sussex

Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

(Reprinted with permission of The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.)

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Information for Professionals

Click here to read AA's full "Message for Professionals"

After smoking, alcoholism kills more people in the UK than any other drug. One adult in 13 is dependent on drink, according to Government statistics. 33,000 people die each year due to alcohol-related incidents or associated health problems. Alcohol is involved in 15% of road accidents, 26% of drownings, and 36% of deaths in fires. A quarter of accidents at work are drink-related.

What Is AA?

Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is non-professional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.

Singleness of Purpose and Problems Other Than Alcohol:

Alcoholism and drug addiction are often referred to as "substance abuse" or "chemical dependency." Alcoholics and non-alcoholics are, therefore, sometimes introduced to AA and encouraged to attend AA meetings. Anyone may attend open AA meetings. But only those with a drinking problem may attend closed meetings or become AA members. People with problems other than alcoholism are eligible for AA membership only if they have a drinking problem.

What Does AA Do?

AA members share their experience with anyone seeking help with a drinking problem; they give person-to-person service or "sponsorship" to the alcoholic coming to AA from any source.

AA for staff in Education:

Teenagers and even younger children are seriously affected by alcohol dependency or from a drinking problem within the family. It is estimated that 920,000 children in the UK are living in a home where one or both parents misuse alcohol. AA regularly gives talks in schools and in some cases is part of the curriculum.

AA for Community Services Staff :

As a professional coming into contact with alcoholism you will be well aware of its harmful effects on the individual concerned and those around them, particularly the families. It is estimated that one person in 13 is dependent on alcohol in britain - twice as many as are hooked on all other forms of drugs. Between 60-70% of men who assault their partners do so under the influence of alcohol. AA Public Information co-operates with Community service staff. A team of AA volunteers is available on request to give talks to staff who would like to understand better the help that AA has to offer.

AA for staff in Religious Organisations:

As a spiritual advisor or member of the clergy, you will be accustomed to people turning to you for guidance over personal problems. Because of this you be well aware of the harmful effects of alcoholism on certain individuals and on those around them, particularly the families. Alcoholics Anonymous welcomes people of all faiths and those who profess no faith, and because many alcoholics look to their spiritual advisors for guidance, AA co-operates closely with staff in religious organisations. AA meetings are often held in premises belonging to churches or synagogues and staff members are welcome to attend open meetings to acquaint themselves with how AA works. Talks to staff can also be arranged on request.

AA for Legal and Criminal Justice staff :

As a professional coming into contact with alcoholism you will be well aware of its harmful effects on the individual concerned and those around them, particularly the families. 60-70% of men who assault their partners do so under the influence of alcohol and 30% of child abusers have alcohol-related problems. AA holds meetings in prisons and co-operates with the Probation Service. AA Prison Liaison and AA Probation Liaison co-operate with staff in these areas and AA Public Information volunteers will give talks to staff in the legal profession on request.

AA for Healthcare workers :

AA Health Liaison co-operates with professionals in the field of healthcare, for more information go to the Health page.

How we can help:

Alcoholics Anonymous has many AA members and service committees who are available to provide professionals with information about Alcoholics Anonymous. AA has a long history of co-operating but not affiliating with outside organisations and being available to provide AA meetings or information about AA upon request.

Conclusion:

The primary purpose of AA is to carry its message of recovery to the alcoholic seeking help. Almost every alcoholism treatment tries to help the alcoholic maintain sobriety. Regardless of the road we follow, we all head for the same destination, recovery of the alcoholic person. Together, we can do what none of us could accomplish alone. We can serve as a source of personal experience and be an ongoing support system for recovering alcoholics.

For more information, or to request a visit from the
Public Information Liaison team, call 0845 769 7555