1. Our common welfare should come first:
This tradition emphasizes unity and the importance of the group over individual interests. It reminds AA members to prioritize the well-being of the fellowship.
2. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience:
This highlights the spiritual foundation of AA and the reliance on a higher power to guide group decisions.
3. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking:
This tradition ensures that AA remains open and inclusive, welcoming anyone who seeks help for alcoholism.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole:
Autonomy allows individual groups to operate as they see fit while maintaining unity on matters that impact the entire organization.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers:
This clarifies the primary mission of every AA group, which is to help those struggling with alcoholism.
6. An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise:
This protects the integrity of the AA name and prevents commercialization.
7. Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions:
Self-sufficiency ensures that AA remains independent and free from outside influence.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers:
This tradition maintains the volunteer nature of AA, while recognizing the need for professional support in service centers.
9. AA, as such, ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve:
This principle preserves the informal and non-hierarchical structure of AA, while allowing for organized service work.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the AA name ought never to be drawn into public controversy:
This tradition keeps AA focused on its primary purpose and discourages involvement in external debates.