The original version differed in two ways from the familiar form we
all know: 1) It stated that “the only requirement for membership is an
honest desire to stop drinking,” and 2) it contained only the very
brief statement “AA has no dues or fees.”
People often ask why
the word “honest” was deleted. At the 1958 General Service Conference,
a delegate asked about the words “honest desire to stop drinking,”
suggesting that since “honest” does not appear in the Third Tradition,
it might be deleted from the Preamble. In discussion, most Conference
members felt that as AA had matured, it had become almost impossible to
determine what constitutes an honest desire to stop drinking, and also
that some who might be interested in the program could be confused by
the phrase. Thus, as part of the evolution of AA, the phrase had been
dropped from common usage. The midsummer 1958 meeting of the General
Service Board of Trustees ratified the deletion, and since then the
Preamble has read simply “a desire to stop drinking.”
At the
same time, the phrase “AA has no dues or fees” was clarified to read as
it presently does: “There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are
self-supporting through our own contributions.” The current version of
the Preamble appears on page one of every issue of the Grapevine.
When reprinted, the Preamble should carry the following credit line: Copyright © by The AA Grapevine, Inc.
AA PREAMBLE©
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their
experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their
common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There
are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through
our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination,
politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any
controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary
purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Copyright © by The AA Grapevine, Inc.
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