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by existence on September 10th, 2010

existence

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How began the tradition of AA members introducing themselves by their name and stating that they are alcoholic?

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  • by Shania on September 11th, 2010

    Shania

    Q. What is the origin of introducing oneself with the statement “I am an alcoholic” at A.A. meetings?

    A. As with the origins of other customs in A.A., this is something of a mystery. However, we came across a Box 4-5-9 article on the subject in the April-May 1987 issue:
    “Who was the first to start a meeting or a qualification with the statement, ‘I am an alcoholic’? How did the worldwide custom begin? As late co-founder Bill W. used to observe, “Nobody invented A.A., it just grew.” And so probably did its classic introduction at meetings.
    ‘Many members ask us these questions,’ says G.S.O. archivist Frank M. ‘Unfortunately, only a few of the early-timers are left, and not many of them are able to provide plausible theories. So we can only speculate.’
    According to an early friend of A.A., the late Henrietta Seiberling, the expression dates back to meetings of A.A.’s forerunner, the Oxford Group Movement, which had its heyday in the early 1930s. Mrs. Seiberling, a nonalcoholic who had sought spiritual help in the Oxford Group meetings, introduced Bill to A.A.’s other founder, Dr. Bob, then struggling to get sober in the Oxford Group.
    At small meetings, the members knew one another and didn’t need to identify themselves. But in the large, public meetings, where there was ‘witnessing’ along the lines of an A.A. talk today, personal identification became necessary. Chances are that someone at some time said, ‘I am an alcoholic,’ but Mrs. Seiberling wasn’t sure. Nor did she remember that the phrase was used at early A.A. meetings in Akron before publication of the Big Book. In fact, she said, the word ‘alcoholic’ was rarely uttered, at least in Akron. People referred to themselves as ‘drunks’ or ‘rum hounds’ or ‘boozers’ or other choice epithets reminiscent of the Temperance Movement that gained adherents during Prohibition.
    An early New York A.A. first heard the expression as ‘I am an alcoholic and my name is…’ According to his recollection, that was after World War II, in 1945 or 1946. And it is a matter of record that, in 1947, a documentary film entitled, “I Am an Alcoholic,” was produced by RKO Pathé.
    From then on, as Bill would say, the custom just grew.


    http://www.aa.org/subpage.cfm?page=287

    Comments

    • Excellant answer, and recall discussing this with Frank M,... anyway, I also recall that on the east coast it was I am "Name" and a member of Alcoholics Anonymous... and on the west coast it became I am "Name" and I am an Alcoholic... anyway just seemed to depend on who you talk to what they recall.
      Personally I have become annoyed at the assitance of members requiring and introduction by another member... but guess I am just becoming a grumdgeon on my way to being an elder statesmen... hoping not to be a bleeding deacon..

      Tripper87

      by Tripper87 on June 16th, 2011

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