Hello, Addiction Help Podcast community! We are thrilled to announce the release of Episode 12, a unique dive into the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), one of the world's oldest and most recognized recovery support groups. This episode comes right on the heels of AA Founders Day on June 10, and we thought it would be the perfect time to provide our listeners with an in-depth exploration of this globally recognized organization. From its humble beginnings in Akron, Ohio, in 1935 to become a global phenomenon with meetings in approximately 180 countries, the journey of AA is nothing short of inspiring. In Episode 12, we pull back the curtain to provide a comprehensive overview of AA. It all began with two recovering alcoholics, Bill Wilson, a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob Smith, an Akron surgeon. They established AA as a community-based fellowship to help others struggling with similar addiction issues. We explore how it grew into a non-profit funded through participants' donations and how it has created a global community of support. We delve into the mechanics of how AA works. Have you ever wondered what differentiates open meetings from closed ones? Or what exactly the '12 steps' in the Big Book are? We address all these questions and more, busting some commonly portrayed TV and movie stereotypes about AA along the way. Whether you're considering joining a local AA group or attending a virtual meeting, we provide an honest portrayal of what you can expect from an AA meeting. We debunk common misconceptions, from the typical meeting layout to whether you must talk. One major point we tackle is the question: Is AA religious? We often get a question, and we address it head-on in this episode. We also discuss other common misconceptions, such as AA's cost (spoiler alert - it's free) and the supposed requirement for participants to speak at meetings. Finally, we look at how the AA model has sparked off a series of spinoffs addressing various addictions, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Gambling Anonymous (GA), significantly influencing the landscape of addiction recovery worldwide. This episode is packed with insights, facts, and a lot of heart. We're looking forward to you joining us on this journey.