Tradition 3
“The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.”
“Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.” — Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Tradition 3
Tradition 3 is the open door. No dues, no qualifications, no approval required. If you want to stop drinking, you belong.
What it means
“The only requirement” — not sobriety, not belief, not good behavior, not a sponsor, not working the steps. Just a desire. Even that is interpreted broadly.
“We have no desire to discourage any alcoholic from joining A.A. We want to be sure that he knows he is welcome.” — Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Tradition 3
“A desire to stop drinking” — this is deliberately minimal. AA has learned through painful experience that adding requirements drives away the people who need help most.
“When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.” — AA Declaration of Responsibility
Why it matters
“Newcomers are approaching A.A. at the rate of tens of thousands yearly. They represent almost every belief and no belief at all. We have atheists and agnostics. We have people of nearly every race, culture, and religion. We have veterans and prisoners. We have the young and the very old.” — Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Tradition 3
The history of Tradition 3 is a history of AA groups wrestling with whether to exclude people — criminals, people of other races, people with mental illness, people who weren’t “real” alcoholics. Every time, the answer came back the same: the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking.
“Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover.” — Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Tradition 3
Common struggles
“Someone in our group doesn’t seem like a real alcoholic.” That’s not yours to judge. Tradition 3 removes that judgment entirely. If they say they have a desire to stop drinking, they’re a member.
“Can we require people to work the steps to attend?” No. Attendance requires only a desire to stop drinking. Working the steps is suggested, not required.
Speaker talks on Traditions
- Beginners Guide to Traditions — ACA Speaker Meeting
- Why Traditions Matter — Erin D, Jody O
- Service and Traditions in ACA Fellowship — ACA Speaker Meeting
Related tags
fellowship · acceptance · tradition
All Traditions
Tradition 1 · Tradition 2 · Tradition 3 · Tradition 4 · Tradition 5 · Tradition 6 · Tradition 7 · Tradition 8 · Tradition 9 · Tradition 10 · Tradition 11 · Tradition 12