Page 4 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

FOREWORD TO FIRST EDITION

This is the Foreword as it appeared in the first
printing of the first edition in 1939.

WE, OF Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and
women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind
and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is
the main purpose of this book. For them, we hope these pages will prove
so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. We think
this account of our experiences will help everyone to better understand
the alcoholic. Many do not comprehend that the alcoholic is a very sick
person. And besides, we are sure that our way of living has its advantages
for all.

It is important that we remain anonymous because we are too few, at
present to handle the overwhelming number of personal appeals which
may result from this publication. Being mostly business or professional
folk, we could not well carry on our occupations in such an event. We
would like it understood that our alcoholic work is an avocation.

When writing or speaking publicly about alcoholism, we urge each of
our Fellowship to omit his personal name, designating himself instead as
“a member of Alcoholics Anonymous.”

Very earnestly we ask the press also, to observe this request, for
otherwise we shall be greatly handicapped.

We are not an organization in the conventional sense of the word. There
are no fees or dues whatsoever. The only requirement for membership is
an honest desire to stop drinking. We are not allied with any particular
faith, sect or denomination, nor do we oppose anyone. We simply wish
to be helpful to those who are afflicted.

We shall be interested to hear from those who are getting results from
this book, particularly from those who have commenced work with other
alcoholics. We should like to be helpful to such cases.

Inquiry by scientific, medical, and religious societies will be welcomed.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS