Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about Alcoholics Anonymous and recovery in Victoria.

Everything You Need to Know

From getting started to understanding the program, find answers to the most common questions about AA Victoria.

Getting Started

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.


Key principles of AA:

  • •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, organisation or institution
  • •Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety

    • Nobody in AA can answer this question definitively for you. The only person who can truly determine this is you. However, we can share our experience:


    You may be alcoholic if:

  • •When you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or
  • •When drinking, you have little control over the amount you take

    • If you've said to yourself: "Yes, I'm powerless over alcohol. My life has become unmanageable. I can't stop drinking and I want help", you've made a good start on Step One.

    Making a start in AA involves taking the first step:


  • •Acknowledge that you're powerless over alcohol and that your life has become unmanageable
  • •Recognise that alcohol is "cunning, baffling and powerful"
  • •Apply AA's program of recovery to your life

    • Remember, these principles can work for you as effectively as they have for others. The best way to start is to attend a meeting and listen to others share their experience.

    Meetings & Program

    The 12 Steps are the foundation of AA recovery:


  • 1.We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable
  • 2.Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity
  • 3.Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him
  • 4.Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves
  • 5.Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs
  • 6.Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character
  • 7.Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings
  • 8.Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all
  • 9.Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others
  • 10.Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it
  • 11.Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out
  • 12.Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs

    • In AA, we practice living "one day at a time". This means:


  • •Breaking life into manageable pieces
  • •Staying sober one day (or hour) at a time
  • •Tackling jobs and problems one at a time
  • •Cleaning up our past one step at a time

    • We also try to turn our lives over to a higher power and seek help from other AA members and sponsors. This approach helps make recovery feel less overwhelming and more achievable.

    A sponsor in AA is a vital part of your recovery. They:


  • •Listen and offer suggestions based on experience
  • •Share what has worked in their own recovery
  • •Point out trouble spots and help you address them
  • •Help you understand the AA program and the 12 Steps
  • •Guide you along the path of recovery

    • While sponsors can't solve your problems, they help you address them with honesty and courage, finding solutions through the AA program. Choose someone with time in the program who has what you want in recovery.

    A Home Group in AA is:


  • •The main group you attend regularly
  • •Where you accept responsibilities and are challenged to grow
  • •A place where you feel you have many real friends
  • •A group where you can get sober, stay sober, and feel a part of

    • It's recommended to visit many groups to find the right Home Group for you. Your Home Group will be your solid foundation in AA and where you can contribute to the fellowship through service.

    Common Concerns

    There are many misconceptions about AA. Here are some common myths and the facts:


    MYTH: I can't be an alcoholic because I can drink a lot

    FACT: Some of our stories are about young people who had large capacities for alcohol. They are also alcoholics.


    MYTH: AA members want to drink all the time and are miserable

    FACT: Most of us are very comfortable not drinking. We also have a lot more fun than we ever had before.


    MYTH: I can take one drink and get away with it

    FACT: While many of us could sometimes take just one drink, sooner or later we'd get drunk again.


    MYTH: AA makes you give up drinking for the rest of your life

    FACT: AA doesn't "make" us do anything. We just stay away from one drink – the next drink – for one day at a time.


    MYTH: AA is for bums and old people

    FACT: The illness of alcoholism strikes people of all ages, races, and economic situations.


    MYTH: AA means people telling me what to do

    FACT: There are no musts in AA. People give us suggestions based on their own experience.

    Answer these questions honestly:


  • 1.Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?
  • 2.Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking?
  • 3.Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
  • 4.Have you had a drink in the morning during the past year?
  • 5.Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?
  • 6.Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?
  • 7.Has your drinking caused trouble at home?
  • 8.Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks at a party because you do not get enough?
  • 9.Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk when you don't mean to?
  • 10.Have you missed days of work because of drinking?
  • 11.Do you have "blackouts"?
  • 12.Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?

    • If you answered YES to four or more questions, you may have a problem with alcohol. Thousands in AA have found this to be true for themselves.

    Resources & Support

    Essential AA literature includes:


  • •Alcoholics Anonymous (The Big Book) - the basic text of AA
  • •Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions - detailed explanation of the program
  • •Living Sober - practical suggestions for staying sober
  • •Daily Reflections - daily meditation and inspiration
  • •A.A. Comes of Age - the history of AA
  • •As Bill Sees It - thoughts from AA's co-founder
  • •Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers - biography of AA's other co-founder
  • •Pass It On - biography of Bill Wilson
  • •Language of the Heart - Bill W's Grapevine writings
  • •Came to Believe - spiritual experiences of AA members

    • These books explain the AA program, our history, and traditions. They are a constant source of inspiration and understanding throughout your recovery journey.

    The 12 Traditions guide how AA groups operate:


  • 1.Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity
  • 2.For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern
  • 3.The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking
  • 4.Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole
  • 5.Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers
  • 6.An AA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise
  • 7.Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions
  • 8.Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers
  • 9.AA, as such, ought never be organised; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve
  • 10.Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy
  • 11.Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films
  • 12.Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities

    • Stay connected with AA Victoria through:


  • •Attending meetings regularly across Melbourne and Victoria
  • •Participating in social events (Group Anniversaries, Dances, Weekends)
  • •Using the 24-hour information line: (03) 9429 1833
  • •Visiting the Central Service Office in person
  • •Volunteering at the CSO or with AA service commitments
  • •Following AA Victoria online for updates and information
  • •Maintaining contact with AA while traveling
  • •Joining service committees and contributing to AA unity

    • Remember, you're never alone in AA. We're here to support and guide you on your journey to recovery.

    Professional Information

    Key information for healthcare professionals:


    Medical Opinion:

    Alcoholism is often referred to as "substance abuse" or "chemical dependency." While anyone may attend open AA meetings, only those with a drinking problem may attend closed meetings or become AA members.


    Understanding Denial:

    Denial is symptomatic of alcoholism. Alcoholics tend to be evasive when questioned about their drinking and may resist suggestions of alcoholism or AA.


    AA's Approach:

    AA members believe that recovery involves abstinence from alcohol and fundamental changes in relationships with oneself, others, and a higher power. AA offers a continuing process of recovery through the principle of not drinking one day at a time.


    How AA Can Help Professionals:

  • •Provide information about Alcoholics Anonymous
  • •Arrange AA speakers for healthcare settings
  • •Offer materials for people with special needs

    • For further information, please contact Central Service Office Victoria.

    Still Have Questions?

    Our experienced AA members are here to help answer your questions and provide support.

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