Our Singleness Of Purpose 

Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose- that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
 
Tradition 5, The Twelve Traditions Long Form

SINGLENESS OF PURPOSE AND 
PROBLEMS OTHER THAN ALCOHOL

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

Dr. Vincent Dole, a pioneer in methadone treatment for heroin addicts and for several years a trustee on the General Service Board of A.A., made the following statement: “The source of strength in A.A. is its single-mindedness. The mission of A.A. is to help alcoholics. A.A. limits what it is demanding of itself and its associates, and its success lies in its limited target. To believe that the process that is successful in one line guarantees success for another would be a very serious mistake.” Consequently, we welcome the opportunity to share A.A. experience with those who would like to develop Twelve Step/Twelve Tradition programs for the nonalcoholic addict by using A.A. methods.

Information on Alcoholics Anonymous. AA World Services

Open & Closed Meeting Definitions

The purpose of all AA group meetings, as the Preamble states, is for AA members to "share experience strength and hope with each other that they might solve their common problem and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety." Toward this end, AA groups have both open and closed meetings.

Closed Meetings are for AA members only, or for those who have a drinking problem and "have a desire to stop drinking."

Open Meetings are available to anyone interested in Alcoholics Anonymous' program of recovery from alcoholism. 

At both types of meetings, the AA chairperson may request that participants confine their discussion to matters pertaining to recovery from alcoholism.

Whether open or closed, AA group meetings are conducted by AA members, who determine the format of their meeting.

The AA Group, pg 16.

THE PROMISES

The following is taken from pages 83 and 84 of the book,
Alcoholics Anonymous - or what is commonly referred to as - "The Big Book".

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be
amazed before we are half way through.

We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
We will not regret the past, nor wish to shut the door on it.

We will comprehend the word serenity,
and we will know peace.

No matter how far down the scale we have gone,
we will see how our experience can benefit others.

That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

We will lose interest in selfish things and
gain interest in our fellows.

Self-seeking will slip away.

Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

We will intuitively know how to handle situations
which used to baffle us.

We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us
what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not.

They are being fulfilled among us--
sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.
They will always materialize if we work for them.