Frequently Asked Questions

Below there are frequently asked questions arranged by category.

The Fellowship has four books that are generally accepted as “textbooks.” The first is Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as “the Big Book,” originally…
We publish 3 newsletters. You can read current and past issues on this website and subscribe on their individual pages.Box 4-5-9: GSO’s quarterly…
No, contributions to A.A. do not support Grapevine. Grapevine is supported entirely through sales of the magazine and related items. Individuals and…
There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership. An A.A. group will usually have a voluntary collection during the meeting to cover expenses, such as…
No. A.A. does not keep membership files or attendance records. You do not have to reveal anything about yourself. No one will bother you if you don’t…
There are no “A.A. rehabs" or hospitals. Traditionally, no professional services or facilities are ever offered or performed under A.A. sponsorship.…
Most A.A.s are sociable people, a factor that may have been partially responsible for their becoming alcoholics in the first place. As a consequence…
The "group conscience" is the collective conscience of the group membership and thus represents substantial unanimity on an issue before definitive…
A.A. members don’t have to attend any set number of meetings in a given period. It is purely a matter of individual preference and need. Most members…
This is a personal matter. However, the spirit of the program is one of sharing, and a recent study of A.A. members shows that a high proportion of…
The term “Conference-approved” describes written or audiovisual material approved by the General Service Conference for publication by GSO. This…
No. Someone may invite you to share to help you feel welcome, but it’s quite okay if you don’t want to. The meeting will consist of members telling…