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| Dear Friends of Recovery,
In Support of NCADD we're forwarding this email regarding the 75th Anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous. This day has a special meaning for Vermonters being the birthplace of Dr. Bob and Bill W. the co-founders of AA.
Kingdom Recovery Center (The birthplace of Dr. Bob in St. Johnsbury, VT) |
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National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
Today, June 10th, The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) would like to gratefully acknowledge the 75th Anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). From July 1-4, A.A. will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in conjunction with the 2010 International Convention of A.A. to be held in San Antonio, Texas.
Over the past 75 years, A.A. has grown from the two co-founders, Bill W. and Dr. Bob-to more than two million members worldwide. Its achievements are legendary, its members are grateful for their recovery. A.A.'s impact is not only on the individual in recovery, but also the family, the community and our society as a whole. Looking solely at the numbers, here are some statistics that demonstrate A.A.'s enormous reach:
Estimates of A.A. Groups and Members as of January 1, 2010 *1
Geographic Area Number of Groups Number of Members
United States 56,694 1,264,716
Canada 4,887 94,163
Correctional Facilities 1,589 39,731
Outside of U.S. and Canada 52,600 704,266
Worldwide Total 115,773 2,103,033
*1- The General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous
(A.A.) does not keep membership records. The information shown here is based on reports given by groups listed with G.S.O., and does not represent an actual count of those who consider themselves A.A. members.
Source:
www.aa.org/lang/en/en_pdfs/smf-53_en.pdf
NCADD's founder, Marty Mann, was the first women to recover in A.A., and our two organizations share a rich history. In 1959, Bill W. and Dr. Bob were the first recipients of NCADD's Gold Key Award, the highest national award that NCADD confers. Marty Mann spoke often of the work of A.A., and Bill W., in his "Let's Be Friendly With Our Friends: Friends on the Alcoholism Front" article in a 1958 Grapevine issue, said, "I cannot detail in this space the great accomplishments of Marty and her associates in the present-day National Council on Alcoholism (NCA). But, I can speak my conviction that no other single agency has done more to educate the public, to open up hospitalization, and to set in motion all manner of constructive projects, than this one."
Since its founding in 1944, NCADD has grown also. Last year alone, 38 million people were served by NCADD and its National Network of Affiliates, including those seeking help for themselves, a friend or a family member; individuals participating in prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery support programs; children participating in school-based education programs; professionals undertaking training/continuing education, among many other activities.
For decades, NCADD and A.A. have shared a strong relationship of cooperation and we look forward to our continued relationship for decades to come; our missions are mutual-to bring hope, help and healing to those individuals and families struggling with alcoholism and other drug dependence.
Happy Anniversary, A.A., and many, many more!
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
Robert J. Lindsey, President/CEO |
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Friends of Recovery- Vermont
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