Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous, most commonly referred to as AA, is a support group for individuals seeking to recover from alcoholism. AA was cofounded in Akron, Ohio, in 1935, through a chance encounter between Dr. Bob (Bob Smith, M.D.) and Bill W (Bill Wilson), both self-labeled alcoholics who had made many previously unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking. Unbeknownst to them at the time, a friendship [Page 37]began that would lead to the creation of the largest support group for alcoholics. The symbol for AA, which was presented at the International Convention in 1955, is a circle enclosing a triangle. The circle stands for the whole of AA, while the three arms of the triangle stand for AAs three legacies: recovery, unity, and service.