The main purpose and mission of Alcoholics Anonymous members is to stay sober and help others achieve sobriety. So that even when someone has overcome their addiction, they stay within the fellowship and help others overcome their addiction, and this also keeps them from relapsing.

I’m Part of the Whole

At once, I became a part -- if only a tiny part -- of a cosmos...

AS BILL SEES IT, up. 225

When I first came to A.A., I decided that "they" were very nice people -- perhaps a little naive, a little too friendly, but basically decent, earnest people (with whom I had nothing in common). I saw "them" at meetings--after all, that was where "they" existed. I shook hands with "them" and, when I went out the door, I forgot about "them." 

Then one day my Higher Power, whom I did not then believe in, arranged to create a community project outside of A.A., but one which happened to involve many AA members. We worked together, I got to know "them" as people. I came to admire "them," even to like "them" and, in spite of myself, to enjoy "them" "Their" practice of the program in their daily lives--not just in talk at meetings--attracted me and I wanted what they had. Suddenly the "they" became "we." I have not had a drink since.

From the book Daily Reflections
© Copyright 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Guidance

The Gift of Laughter