Foreword to Second Edition pg xix “Soon was beset by these very problems on every side and in every group. But out of this frightening and at first disrupting experience grew that AA’s had to hang together or die separately. We had to unify our fellowship or pass off the scene.” Thinking of reopening to…
Category: Traditions
“As the Twelve Steps of Cocaine Anonymous are our recipe for individual recovery, the Twelve Traditions of Cocaine Anonymous are our recipe for group unity, growth and discipline.”
COVID-19 Group Inventory To Help Assess Having In-Person Meetings
Thinking of reopening to in person meetings? We suggest using the traditions as a tool to help your group decide whether you should or not. As well as looking at some risk factors associated with Covid-19. Tradition 1: Our common welfare should come first, personal recovery depends upon CA unity. What happens if someone comes…
“Property and Prestige”
By Hal K., Houston TX In the spirit of the Traditions and the direction of the Concepts of World Service, it appears that many of us, as trusted servants, may want to examine our adherence to the intent of our founders of being directly responsible to those they serve. In my travels over the past…
Twelve Traditions: Introduction
Alcoholics Anonymous (The Big Book, 4th Edition) p. xix The test that it faced was this: Could these large numbers of erstwhile erratic alcoholics (addicts) successfully meet and work together? Would there be quarrels over membership, leadership, and money? Would there be strivings for power and prestige? Would there be schisms which would split A.A….
Tradition Twelve: Anonymity
Tradition Twelve (Short): Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. Tradition Twelve (Long): And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before personalities; that we are actually…
Tradition Ten: No opinion on outside issues
Tradition Ten (Short): Cocaine Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the C.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. Tradition Ten (Long): No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues—particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion….
Tradition Eight: We’re nonprofessional
Tradition Eight (Short): C.A. as such, should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centres may employ special workers. Tradition Eight (Long): Alcoholics (Cocaine) Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional. We define professionalism as the occupation of counseling alcoholics for fees or hire. But we may employ alcoholics where they are going to perform those services for…
Tradition Six: Problems of money, property, and authority
Tradition Six (Short): A C.A. Group ought never endorse, finance or lend the C.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose. Tradition Six (Long): Problems of money, property, and authority may easily divert us from our primary spiritual aim. We think,…
Tradition Five: Primary Purpose
Tradition Five (Short): Each Group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the addict who still suffers. Tradition Five (Long): Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose—that of carrying its message to the alcoholic (addict) who still suffers. Suggested Readings: C.A. World Pamphlet “Yes, You…
Tradition Two: Group Conscience
Tradition Two (Short): For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. Tradition Two (Long): For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority-a loving God as He may express…
Tradition Eleven: Public Relations & Personal Anonymity
Tradition Eleven (Short): Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, television and films. (What about the Internet?) Tradition Eleven (Long): Our relations with the general public should be characterized by personal anonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sensational…
Tradition Seven: We’re self-supporting
Tradition Seven (Short): Every C.A. group ought to be self-supporting, declining outside contributions. Tradition Seven (Long): The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics (Cocaine)…
Tradition Nine… Creating Service Boards or Committees
Tradition Nine (Short): C.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. Tradition Nine (Long): Each A.A. group needs the least possible organization. Rotating leadership is the best. The small group may elect its secretary, the large group its rotating committee, and the…
Tradition Four: What does it mean C.A. Groups are autonomous?
Tradition Four (Short): Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or C.A. as a whole. Tradition Four (Long): With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience. But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups…
Tradition Three: Who can be a member of C.A.?
Tradition Three (Short): The only requirement for C.A. membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. Tradition Three (Long): Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism (addiction). Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any…
Tradition Two and the Principle of Consistent Rotation…
2019 World Service Manual p. 11 The principal of consistent rotation of responsibility is followed by all C.A. service positions. The spirit of rotation is a vital principle within our service structure which allows for non successive terms on all service positions. This enables more members to experience the true nature of service. Positions in…
Tradition One: Personal recovery depends upon C.A. unity.
Tradition One (Short): Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon C.A. unity. Tradition One (Long Version): Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is but a small part of a great whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will surely die. Hence our common welfare comes first. But individual welfare follows…