This is the Foreword as it appeared in the first printing of the first

edition in 1939.

WE, OF Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred 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 account 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 because we are too few, at present

to handle the overwhelming number of personal appeals which may result from

this publication. Being mostly business or professional folk, we could not

well carry on our occupations in such an event. We would like it understood

that our alcoholic work is an avocation.

When writing or speaking publicly about alcoholism, 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 handicapped.

We are not an organization in the conventional sense of the word. There are

no fees or dues whatsoever. 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.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS.