FOREWORD TO FIRST EDITION - Alcoholics Anonymous

1 FOREWORD TO FIRST EDITIONThis is the FOREWORD as it appeared in the firstprinting of the FIRST EDITION in 1939 .We, ofAlcoholics Anonymous , are more thanone hundred men and women who have re-covered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind andbody. To show other Alcoholics precisely how wehave recoveredis the main purpose of this book. Forthem, we hope these pages will prove so convincingthat no further authentication will be necessary. Wethink this account of our experiences will help every-one to better understand the alcoholic. Many do notcomprehend that the alcoholic is a very sick besides, we are sure that our way of living hasits advantages for is important that we remain Anonymous becausewe are too few, at present to handle the overwhelm -ing number of personal appeals which may resultfrom this publication.

2 Being mostly business or pro -fessional folk, we could not well carry on our occupa-tions in such an event. We would like it understoodthat our alcoholic work is an writing or speaking publicly about alcohol -ism, 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 thisrequest, for otherwise we shall be greatly handi are not an organization in the 11/20/13 3:43 PM Page xiiisense of the word. There are no fees or dues what -soever.

3 The only requirement for membership is anhonest desire to stop drinking. We are not allied withany particular faith, sect or denomination, nor do weoppose anyone. We simply wish to be helpful to thosewho are shall be interested to hear from those who aregetting results from this book, particularly from thosewho have commenced work with other Alcoholics . Weshould like to be helpful to such by scientific, medical, and religious societieswill be TO FIRST 11/20/13 3:43 PM Page xiv