In Akron, Ohio, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith (above),
two recovering alcoholics, founded Alcoholics Anonymous,
also known as "A.A.," a 12-step rehabilitation program
that eventually will help countless people cope with
alcoholism.
Based on psychological techniques that have long been
used in suppressing certain personality traits, members
of the strictly anonymous organization control their
disease through guided group discussion and confession.
The organization functions through local groups that have
no formal rules besides anonymity, no officers and no dues.
Anyone who wishes to stop drinking qualifies for membership
and today, there are more than 60,000 local groups in the
United States, with an estimated membership of almost two
million people.
Other addiction support groups patterned on A.A. include
Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous.
