I am acting as chairman of this open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. And it’s customary for each of us, I’ll first introduce myself. My name is Lucille Ruth. I am a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and through following its program, it has not been necessary for me to take a drink of alcohol for twenty-six days and twenty months. We have assembled here as alcoholics and non-alcoholics, friends, relatives, and loved ones for the purpose of acquainting ourselves more thoroughly with the program of AA. As alcoholics, we believe the twelve-point program of Alcoholics Anonymous is the only way for us to maintain sobriety and secure for ourselves a contented and useful life. We are conscious of the fact that we are suffering from a serious disease, which in no way has a moral or legal aspect. A disease that medicine alone has been unable to cope with successfully. A disease that is devastating and if allowed to continue, means death or loss of sanity.

It is obvious that we can secure much assistance in our AA educational program if our families and friends make a sincere effort to understand the true meaning and value of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. And we earnestly hope that you non-alcoholics will avail yourselves of every opportunity to become familiar with all its aspects. AA is truly a new design for living. An open mind, tolerance, and sincerity of purpose are necessary in the study program. It would be wise if we bore in mind at all times that a person who seems unable to stop drinking, who cannot do so whether he wishes to or not, or a person whose behavior as a result of drinking is such as to interfere with his normal and important activities of life, is considered an alcoholic. Absolute abstinence, the second meaning of Alcoholics Anonymous, is the AA answer, for we realize that we no longer have the privilege of decision concerning the question to drink or not to drink.

We approach our problem with an understanding that in ourselves we cannot handle our disease, but must be willing to seek the assistance of a power greater than ourselves and to do all we can to recognize the fact that with removal of many defects of character and personality, we can more nearly approach a full understanding of the symptoms which have been instrumental in creating our alcoholic problems. This approach and understanding is made possible through the AA program, and our ultimate goal is a full and contented life without alcohol. We will now have a minute of silent prayer and meditation. Amen. In conducting the meeting tonight, I want to remind you again that whatever is said in this meeting, either by me or any other speaker, expresses our own individual opinions as of tonight. We do not speak for AA as a whole, and you’re free to agree or disagree as you see fit with any statement which is not in accord with the AA book. I would first like to welcome all the visitors.