What Is the AA Preamble, and Is It Beneficial?

If you’ve been to a few AA meetings, you’ve probably noticed some similarities across the board. There’s usually a round of introductions with most members saying, “My name is so-and-so, and I’m an alcoholic.” The 12 Steps are probably hanging on the wall. There’s probably coffee. And yes, the meeting usually starts with the reading of the AA Preamble.

But what is the purpose of the Alcoholics Anonymous Preamble? Let’s look into it.

A Brief Look at AA

First, let’s take a brief look at Alcoholics Anonymous itself. To learn about the ins and outs of AA and AA meetings, check out “How Does Alcoholics Anonymous Work?” and “What To Expect at an AA Meeting.” For now, here’s the gist:

• AA is a self-help group for those struggling with alcohol. The credit goes to stockbroker Bill Wilson, known in AA as “Bill W.”, whose spontaneous recovery from a near-fatal case of alcohol misuse marked the beginning of the program in the 1930s.
• It is spiritual in nature and based on the 12 Steps. While not religious, AA is spiritual in nature. The concept of a “Higher Power” aiding them in their recovery appeals to many, but for some it can be a turn-off.
• Meetings form the core of the program. Although meetings might vary in format, their purpose is the same: to share our recovery “experience, strength, and hope” with others to help them and ourselves.

The meetings are where the Preamble comes into the picture.

All About the AA Preamble

The Alcoholics Anonymous Preamble is read at the beginning of AA meetings. Short and sweet, it’s a concise statement introducing the group’s mission and principles. But what exactly is the purpose of the AA Preamble, and how does it contribute to the recovery process? Let’s take a closer look!

1. It states the meeting’s purpose.

Once we hear the Preamble, there’s no mistaking what door we walked into — we’re definitely at an AA meeting — “a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope.” Most importantly, we’re all here for the same reason — “to solve our common problem and help others recover from alcoholism.”

By emphasizing this goal, the AA Preamble reinforces it and makes clear what AA is all about. And while many might know this already, it never hurts to repeat it! 

In fact, even if we end up finding that AA isn’t right for us, putting our “why” — our reasons for changing our relationship with booze — into a concise and clear statement is a great idea. Maybe we want to improve our cardiovascular health, sharpen our cognitive skills, or lose some weight. Or maybe the reason has to do with building more authentic friendships, spending more time with our kids, or strengthening our relationship with our partner. Whatever it is, stating it clearly is the first step. 

Next, it’s a good idea to put our “purpose statement” in a place where we’ll come across it daily. Whether we write it on a post-it note and stick it to the bathroom mirror or use a phone widget to create a digital reminder, the effect is the same: seeing our “purpose statement” is a visual reminder of why we decided to make a shift in our daily habits.

Neuroscience fact: There’s an area of neuroscience that deals with the “purpose-driven life” hypothesis. This fascinating research field is all about how mental, emotional, social, and spiritual factors can directly affect our health. The idea behind it is that having a sense of purpose can actually make us physically stronger and more resilient, staving off dementia, improving cardiovascular health, and improving the outcomes of stroke and spinal cord injuries. Purpose statement, here we come! And remember, it doesn’t have to be in the context of AA — feel free to define yours however you want.

2. It sets the tone for the meeting.

One thing is clear about AA: it tries to set a welcoming vibe with minimal expectations. The Preamble reaffirms that. As the second paragraph reads, “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.” It also mentions that AA is always free and “self-supporting” — contributions are completely voluntary.

Making this tone of inclusivity clear from the start can go a long way to making newcomers feel comfortable. Even if we drank the night before, or that morning, or five minutes before the meeting, we know that we’re still welcome.

That said, while the statement works well to welcome those who want booze out of their lives completely, it’s not as inclusive when it comes to everyone else. A casual drinker exploring a sober-curious lifestyle or trying a Sober October or Dry January challenge to experience the benefits of drinking less without making a lifelong commitment might not feel quite as welcome. (Luckily, there are many AA alternatives — more on that later.)

Neuroscience fact: Social support triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of trust and bonding. In addition to making us feel good naturally, it reduces stress — a common trigger for alcohol use.

3. It defines AA as a “neutral” organization.

According to the Preamble, AA “is not aligned with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution,” doesn’t wish to “engage in any controversy,” or support any “opposing causes.”

While this purported neutrality sounds good, this is also where things get a bit muddled. It’s true that AA considers itself to be “spiritual but not religious,” and yet it’s impossible to go through a meeting without hearing the word “God” or references to prayer. While there’s nothing wrong with that, many first-timers may not realize this up-front, and those with differing views or religious trauma might find the tone a bit triggering (or, at the very least, a turn-off).

Neuroscience fact: The area of the brain known as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) lights up when we make a judgment about another person. Curiously, if that judgment is positive, we get a “dopamine hit” that makes us feel good.

4. It encourages shared experience.

The AA Preamble emphasizes the importance of sharing stories — a crucial component of AA, which is based on people sharing their experiences with alcohol and giving hope to others that recovery is possible. This openness removes the stigma some might feel about their alcohol use: whatever we did, chances are, someone else has done the same thing (or worse). However much we drank, it’s all but certain that someone else drank even more than we did. And while this experience most likely wreaked havoc in our lives at the time, it can now serve as a way to connect with others who’ve been in our shoes. 

Whether or not AA is ultimately right for us, having a support team willing to lend a helping hand and an empathetic ear is crucial in recovery. We are “social animals” by nature, and any complex task is infinitely easier with a solid support system to back us up, support us when things get rough, and celebrate our milestones.

Neuroscience fact: When we hear someone share their story, our mirror neurons activate, allowing us to empathize and connect with their experience. Mirror neurons fire when we watch someone perform an action as opposed to engaging in it ourselves. This shared experience, in turn, fosters empathy, makes us closer to others, and supports recovery for everyone involved. It’s a win-win!

5. It reinforces commitment to sobriety.

Finally, while reading the same couple of paragraphs at the beginning of every meeting might seem a bit repetitive, there’s a reason for the reinforcement. Building new habits is all about repetition, and the AA Preamble reinforces the main points to keep in mind along the way.

And, just like its other benefits, the value of repetition goes beyond the Preamble! Repeating behaviors we want to make automatic can feel tedious at first, but before we know it, neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to adapt and change — makes it easier. Remember, habit formation is all about repetition and reinforcement, and our thoughts and behaviors around alcohol are no different. The more we state our intentions while engaging in alcohol-free activities of any sort, the more we strengthen our connection with the habits fueling our new lifestyle and reinforce our commitment to them.

Neuroscience fact: The brain loves patterns, and repetition strengthens existing connections. Known as “Hebbian learning,” this phenomenon is captured in the saying “neurons that fire together wire together.” Repetition, in turn, serves as a sort of neurological glue that fosters these connections.

Beyond the Preamble: AA Alternatives

The AA Preamble might be useful for its purposes, but that doesn’t mean AA itself is for everyone. And that’s okay! For a deep dive, check out “Best Alternatives for AA.” For now, here are some options to think about:

• Therapy. The AA Preamble is very clear about who AA is for — those who struggle with alcohol. But there are so many ways to approach this problem, and sometimes an individualized plan that a therapist helps us build works best. We’re not talking psychoanalysis here. These days there are more practical, science-based therapy options that help us restructure our thought patterns and behaviors around booze. Check out “How Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Help With Alcohol Misuse?” and “How Can Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Help With Alcohol Misuse?” to learn more.
• Other support groups. AA might be one of the best known self-help fellowships, but it’s not the only one. Science-based groups such as SMART Recovery are all about changing our relationship with alcohol in a way that doesn’t require us to list “character defects,” appeal to a “Higher Power,” or declare our problem to be a “spiritual malady.” In fact, it’s based on CBT.
• Online support groups and apps. Finally, today we have help available right at our fingertips! Online support groups are great for connecting with others in the same boat in the comfort of our home. And apps such as Reframe have revolutionized the recovery scene, bringing together motivational coaching, science-backed information, craving-busting tools, drink-tracking software, and much more. And it’s all right there, in the palm of our hand.

Remember, whatever path you choose for your recovery, the most important part is this: you’ve decided to change your relationship with alcohol. That’s great! There’s so much to look forward to and so many perks to discover for yourself. And Reframe is here to support you, cheer you on, and help you reach your goals!

Summing Up

When it comes to the AA Preamble, it’s helpful to focus on the benefits of having a “preamble” for our alcohol journey as a whole — whatever form that takes. In the words of Tara Stiles:

“Our bodies and our minds have their own timing that pay little attention to our cerebral desires. We can't force or expect things to change as fast as we want, but when we put our efforts in the direction of our intention and drop everything else like snow falling, things unfold with ease.”

And if we set our intentions about alcohol — and, better yet, put them in writing — we can look forward to a healthier, happier version of ourselves “unfolding with ease” each day that we stay on our path!