Event Description

What Is Tradition 8?
Tradition 8 states, “Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.”

In other words, AA is a program of service. When a newcomer to the program reaches out to someone in the program in crisis, help is extended in a free and non-professional manner. This ties into an overarching theme in AA which is to “give your recovery away.”

The Meaning of “Forever Non-Professional”
There are members of AA who identify as mental health and medical professionals. However, their profession does not apply when engaging in the AA program. Again, all support in AA is non-professional, and their professional roles do not apply when they participate in the program.

Based on the experiences of the founder and the group’s history, professionalizing Alcoholics Anonymous only harms the efficacy of its mission.