AA’s Twelve Traditions Spark Useful Questions For a Divided Time
Circle of empty chairs
Every day, in towns and cities across the country, a quiet miracle unfolds: people from vastly different backgrounds come together with a single purpose—to stay sober and help others do the same. For nearly a century, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has endured through societal upheaval, guided by its deeply democratic and inclusive structure.
AA’s co-founder, Bill W., believed the movement’s survival depended on flipping traditional power structures. Individual groups hold the most power, with decisions rising from the grassroots. He also insisted on radical inclusivity, writing that “none may be refused who wish to recover.” Reflecting this, AA’s Big Book is periodically updated to include a more diverse set of personal stories of recovery from women, people of color, LGBTQ+ members, people with disabilities, and others—so anyone seeking sobriety can see themselves in the fellowship.
Bill W. also sought to protect AA from the dangers of power, money, and prestige, emphasizing the need to “put principles before personalities.” The Twelve Traditions that have sustained AA offer lessons beyond sobriety, raising timely questions for those of us working to support our communities and organizations during this time of disruption:
How can we expand inclusivity without preconditions?
How can we elevate grassroots voices over centralized authority?
How can we stay focused on solving problems rather than ideological battles?
How can we ensure egos and disputes don’t derail meaningful progress?
Has AA been perfect? Of course not. Like any movement, it is organized by imperfect humans and influenced by an ever changing context and culture.
Its longevity, though, stems from being deeply human-centered. At its core, it recognizes that people need each other to survive and thrive. In these divided times, perhaps the traditions of AA can offer a useful lens as we navigate our current challenges.
Co-Founder, The Creative Discourse Group
