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You will find the First Edition,
book manuscripts and foreign language translations at
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FOREWORD TO FIRST EDITION

WE,OF Alcoholics Anonymous, are many thou-
sands of men and women who have recovered
from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To
show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered
is the main purpose of this book. For them, we hope
these pages will prove so convincing that no further
authentication will be necessary. We think this ac-
count of our experiences will help everyone to better
understand the alcoholic. Many do not comprehend
that the alcoholic is a very sick person. And besides,
we are sure that our way of living has its advantages
for all.
It is important that we remain anonymous in order
to more effectively handle the overwhelming number
of personal appeals which may result from this publi-
cation. Being mostly business or professional folk,
some of us could not carry on our occupations if
we were known as alcoholics. We would like it under-
stood that our alcoholic work is an avocation.
When writing or speaking publicly about alcohol-
ism, we urge each of our Fellowship to omit his
personal name,designating himself instead as "A
Member of Alcoholics Anonymous."
Very earnestly we ask the press also, to observe this
request, for otherwise we shall be greatly handi-
capped. We are not an organization in the conventional xiii

Note: The First Edition infact does not say "many thousands of " but reads: "WE, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one  hundred men and women ..."

xiv         FOREWORD TO FIRST EDITION

sense of the word. There are no fees or dues what-
soever. The only requirement for membership is an
honest desire to stop drinking. We are not allied with
any particular faith, sect or denomination, nor do we
oppose anyone. We simply wish to be helpful to those
who are afflicted.
We shall be interested to hear from those who are
getting results from this book, particularly from those
who have commenced work with other alcoholics. We
should like to be helpful to such cases.
Inquiry by scientific, medical, and religious societies
will be welcomed. (The Alcoholic Foundation—now
the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous—
Grand Central Annex Post Box 459, New York (17),
N.Y.)

Alcoholics Anonymous.
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