Origin of the 12 Traditions

We hear them at nearly every meeting, they are on the wall at AA clubs, and they are in the back of the Big Book. But how exactly did the 12 Traditions come about? In April 1946, Bill W. wrote an article for the Grapevine entitled "Twelve Suggested Points of AA Tradition." This was the first incarnation of the 12 Traditions: the first time they were presented to the whole of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Here is an excerpt from that Grapevine article, published in April 1946:

Nobody invented Alcoholics Anonymous. It grew. Trial and error has produced a rich experience. Little by little we have been adopting the lessons of that experience, first as policy and then as Tradition. That process still goes on and we hope it never stops. Should we ever harden too much, the letter might crush the spirit. We could victimize ourselves by petty rules and prohibitions; we could imagine that we had said the last word. We might even be asking alcoholics to accept our rigid ideas or stay away. We never stifle progress like that!

Yet the lessons of our experience count for a great deal -- a very great deal, we are each convinced. The first written record of AA experience was the book "Alcoholics Anonymous." It was addressed to the heart of our foremost problem -- release from the alcohol obsession. It contained personal experiences of drinking and recovery and a statement of those divine but ancient principles, which have brought us a miraculous regeneration. Since publication of "Alcoholics Anonymous" in 1939 we have grown from 100 to 24,000 members. Seven years have passed; seven years, of vast experience with our next greatest undertaking -- the problem of living and working together. This is today our main concern. If we can succeed in this adventure -- and keep succeeding -- then, and only then, will our future be secure.

Over the course of 1947-1948, Bill expanded on each tradition with twelve articles: one for each tradition. The traditions arose out of experiences from the early AA groups; they are in place to ensure the future of Alcoholics Anonymous.

To read the entire article, click the link below:
Twelve Suggested Points of AA Tradition by Bill W.
A.A. Grapevine, April 1946