June 10, 1935 marks the historic date that has changed the lives of millions in a positive way. This date marks the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill Wilson, of New York, and Dr. Bob Smith created the twelve step program towards sobriety in Akron, Ohio.
Bill Wilson was an alcoholic who joined the Oxford Group-a nondenominational movement whose tenets are based on the “Four Absolutes” of honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love- and started attending meetings in search of curing his urge for alcohol. On a business trip to Akron, Bill faced the urge to drink but instead he contacted the Oxford Group and was referred to Henrietta Seiberling, a committed Oxford Group member and daughter-in-law of the founder of the Goodyear Rubber Company, who had been trying for two years to bring a fellow group member, a prominent Akron surgeon, to sobriety. On a visit to the Seiberling estate, Bill Wilson is introduced to fellow alcoholic, surgeon Dr. Bob Smith, and the two share their inspiring stories of alcoholism. Dr. Smith realizes how much spiritual support can come as the result of one alcoholic talking to another alcoholic. This interaction becomes the basis of all AA meetings. Shortly after, Bill is invited to move in with Dr. Smith as he tries to recover and fight his addiction.
The day known as the date of Dr. Smith’s last drink, June 10, 1935, is credited as the founding date of Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill Wilson vouches to never drink again shortly after. In an attempt to cure people’s disease of alcoholism, Bill welcomes alcoholics trying to recover from their disease, to his home at 182 Clinton Street in Brooklyn. At this same time, Dr. Smith offers support and meetings at his home in Akron. This becomes the creation of meeting dates and helps set up the standards of Alcoholics Anonymous.
In 1938, the twelve step program is created and instituted when Bill Wilson creates an outline for the program in an AA book, known as the Big Book. The traditions of A.A. recommend that members and organized groups and meetings remain anonymous in public media, together as a group help other alcoholics and must include all who wish to stop drinking. The traditions also recommend that AA members acting on behalf of the fellowship steer clear of dogma, governing hierarchies and involvement in public issues. In 1940, AA’s headquarter was created in lower Manhattan.
Wilson credits the Oxford Group as the standards for AA but differs in anonymity and specific sponsorship per individual in the program.
Results show that only 5% of members attend meetings for 12 months or longer with 95% leaving the program prior to a year. This is a 95% failure rate for the program. Research also shows that attending meetings does not decrease the use of alcohol but only increases their chances of returning to the next meeting. AA however has been known to increase spiritual practices which showed results for better recovery outcomes. The program is known to help members create strong social networks and build connections to communicate with, enhance alcohol recovery skills and motivation to remain abstinent, reduce alcohol depression rates and increase overall mental well-being of individuals.
Known celebrity activist for AA are Anthony Hopkins, Betty Ford (Ex-first lady), Craig T. Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Eric Clapton. To locate a meeting place near you, visit www.aa.org.
