AA Timeline AA Timeline AA Timeline AA Timeline

1935 - 20131935 - 20131935 - 20131935 - 2013

1935193519351935

Alcoholic and doctor shared similar views of alcoholism and ways to reach sobriety.

Bill W is inspired by Dr. Samuel Shoemaker about a program with the use of one-on-one work and guidance.

After failure to help alcoholics he reaches out to Dr. William Silkworth who helps him understand that he needs to treat alcoholism as an illness and do less preaching.

Alcoholic and doctor shared similar views of alcoholism and ways to reach sobriety.

Bill W is inspired by Dr. Samuel Shoemaker about a program with the use of one-on-one work and guidance.

After failure to help alcoholics he reaches out to Dr. William Silkworth who helps him understand that he needs to treat alcoholism as an illness and do less preaching.

1935 (continued)1935 (continued)1935 (continued)1935 (continued)

Bill has strong urge to drink and seeks help from the church. He is referred him to an Oxford group member. He realizes much spiritual support can come from an addict talking to another addict.

Bill helps an alcoholic, Dr. Bob. Dr. Bob relapses for a short period and his last drink is the founders day of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Bill has strong urge to drink and seeks help from the church. He is referred him to an Oxford group member. He realizes much spiritual support can come from an addict talking to another addict.

Bill helps an alcoholic, Dr. Bob. Dr. Bob relapses for a short period and his last drink is the founders day of Alcoholics Anonymous.

1935 (continued)1935 (continued)1935 (continued)1935 (continued)

Dr. Bob and Bill work together to help others reach sobriety by using the concepts of thinking one day at a time and the 24 hour concept. This is an idea which helps addicts remain sober by making them think only about not drinking in the present moment and worry about the future when it arrives.

They slowly help more people and hold weekly meetings at Bill’s home.

Dr. Bob and Bill work together to help others reach sobriety by using the concepts of thinking one day at a time and the 24 hour concept. This is an idea which helps addicts remain sober by making them think only about not drinking in the present moment and worry about the future when it arrives.

They slowly help more people and hold weekly meetings at Bill’s home.

1938193819381938

12 step program is born, the AA big book is written, and self-published. 12 step program is born, the AA big book is written, and self-published.

1939193919391939

Open meetings to family and friends of alcoholics were introduced. Close meetings are still going on as well.

First women to achieve lasting sobriety, Marty M.

Open meetings to family and friends of alcoholics were introduced. Close meetings are still going on as well.

First women to achieve lasting sobriety, Marty M.

1940194019401940

AA spreads throughout the US.AA spreads throughout the US.

1941194119411941

First all women’s group is founded.

The serenity prayer is introduced to AA meetings.

AA reaches 8,000 members in about 200 groups across the country. Bill starts to travel to the groups.

First all women’s group is founded.

The serenity prayer is introduced to AA meetings.

AA reaches 8,000 members in about 200 groups across the country. Bill starts to travel to the groups.

1942194219421942

AA reaches out to prison groups.

- AA spreads to Australia.

AA reaches out to prison groups.

- AA spreads to Australia.

1946194619461946

The twelve traditions of AA are written and published.

- AA spreads nationwide.

The twelve traditions of AA are written and published.

- AA spreads nationwide.

1948194819481948

Dr. Bob is diagnosed with terminal cancer, retires, and gives his last AA talk.

Dr. Bob is diagnosed with terminal cancer, retires, and gives his last AA talk.

1950195019501950

Dr. Bob dies concurring 15 years of sobriety and changed approximately 100,000 lives.

Dr. Bob dies concurring 15 years of sobriety and changed approximately 100,000 lives.

1952195219521952

Al-anon groups were created for loved ones of addicts to share their experiences and better understand the illness.

Al-anon groups were created for loved ones of addicts to share their experiences and better understand the illness.

1957195719571957

Alateen groups were created for children of alcoholics to help them cope.

Alateen groups were created for children of alcoholics to help them cope.

1971197119711971

Bill W dies.Bill W dies.

1973197319731973

Big book distribution reaches one million. Big book distribution reaches one million.

1979197919791979

AA groups for deaf people are available. AA groups for deaf people are available.

1985198519851985

Dr. Bob’s house opens to the public.Dr. Bob’s house opens to the public.

1995199519951995

aa.org is opened.aa.org is opened.

2000200020002000

Members top 2 million.Members top 2 million.

2001200120012001

9/11 hits and many requests for AA meetings are made. 9/11 hits and many requests for AA meetings are made.

2013201320132013

Meeting are still going on today. Meeting are still going on today.

CitationCitationCitationCitation

AA History Timeline [Fact sheet]. (2002, August). Retrieved February 16, 2006, from AA History Timeline: Alcoholics Anonymous Dates of Interest website: http://alcoholicsanonymous.9f.com/aa_history_timeline.htm

AA Timeline. (2013). Retrieved 2013, from http://www.aa.org/aatimeline/

AA History Timeline [Fact sheet]. (2002, August). Retrieved February 16, 2006, from AA History Timeline: Alcoholics Anonymous Dates of Interest website: http://alcoholicsanonymous.9f.com/aa_history_timeline.htm

AA Timeline. (2013). Retrieved 2013, from http://www.aa.org/aatimeline/