Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1939, based on a belief that alcoholism is incurable and progressive but can be arrested by a spiritual experience. Its basic text sets out a programme of 12 Steps which, if practiced as a way of life can bring about abstinence and a daily reprieve from the condition. Many of the early members were also part of an evangelical Christian sect, which led to highly religious language being used in the original book. There is a common perception that it is a religious institution.

AA now has a flourishing membership, many of whom profess no religious belief. There is an increasing number of secular meetings and considerable discussion in the Fellowship of how the programme can be worked without reliance on God or a higher power.

The speaker is an alcoholic with over 30 years of sobriety in AA who identifies as an atheist. She will talk about the history of AA, her own path through the Steps and touch on some of the criticisms leveled at the Fellowship today.

You don't need to be a member of Humanists UK to attend this talk. If you can afford it, we ask for a voluntary donation of no more than £5 to help cover the cost of the room.