The Core Principle of Unity is group cohesion and mutual support. The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous guide us in our Legacy of Unity.

The Legacy of A.A.’s Unity is to guide how individual AA groups function, emphasizing anonymity, common welfare, and keeping the fellowship free from outside political or religious interference.

THE TWELVE TRADITIONS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
(SHORT FORM)

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A.
unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as
He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted
servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups
or A.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the
alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any
related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and
prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside
contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our
service centers may employ special workers.
9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards
or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A.
name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we
need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and
films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us
to place principles before personalities.

Copyright 1952, 1953, 1981 by A.A. Grapevine, Inc. and Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing
(now known as Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)
All rights reserved

Wrapping Up with Key Insights

The Spiritual Principles of the 12 Traditions can be summarized in the following manner:

1. Unity: The common welfare comes first.
2. Authority: Group conscience guides decisions under a spiritual higher power.
3. Membership: A desire to stop drinking is the only requirement.
4. Autonomy: Each group is independent except in matters affecting AA as a whole.
5. Primary Purpose: Each group has one main aim—to help alcoholics.
6. Independence: Groups do not endorse outside enterprises.
7. Self-Support: Groups are fully self-supporting through voluntary contributions.
8. Non-Professional: AA remains non-professional, relying on peer support.
9. Service Boards: Organization is kept minimal through non-governing committees.
10. Public Neutrality: AA has no opinion on outside public controversies.
11. Public Relations: Policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.
12. Anonymity: Anonymity protects personal safety and places principles above personalities.