Tradition 1 is the first of these guiding principles. It serves to create a sense of unity and fellowship within the group. The Twelve Tradition philosophy started in 1939 with the publication of the “Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.” The concept was refined in the ensuing years as AA continued to grow, and greater emphasis was placed on maintaining uniformity among chapters. In 1953, co-founder Bill Wilson formalized the principles in the book “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.” This article explores how Tradition 1 works and why it is so important to the functioning of a 12-step support group.
Understanding Tradition 1
The main principle of Tradition 1 is unity. As the Twelve Steps lay the spiritual path of recovery for individual members, the Twelve Traditions provide the principles that keep the group healthy and grounded. This is best exemplified by Tradition 1, which states: The underlying principle is simple: if the group is drawn into controversy or becomes dominated by individuals, the unity of the group will be jeopardized. This is especially true of members who feel sidelined or minimized—these individuals are most likely to drift away or leave the program altogether. When people first try to recover from addiction, they often attempt to do so alone. While some people are successful, this approach means that people are less supported and more likely to feel isolated in their recovery.
Dissension and Agreement
The aim of Tradition 1 is to ensure cohesion while honoring all voices in an open dialogue. Both AA and Al-Anon are structured to provide a platform for everyone, even those with minority views. As a group prepares to make a decision, all sides must be given an opportunity to speak without judgment or derision. With that being said, all members of the group must be willing to accept the majority opinion and work together to put any decision into action. This helps prevent the divisiveness that can undermine not only the group but each member of the group.
Applying Tradition 1 to Your Life
Newcomers to a 12-step group will often place their entire focus on the Twelve Steps and pay less mind to the Twelve Traditions. In some ways, it’s entirely understandable. As an individual, you want to reach your goal of sobriety. But unless you embrace the Twelve Traditions, your journey can become rudderless as you place “self” over others. In the end, the Twelve Traditions provide the foundation by which individuals can navigate the Twelve Steps. Both are meant to provide you with the framework by which to live your life, not just stop drinking. The underlying concept of Tradition 1 is that being of service to other people can help promote sobriety. One way to incorporate this concept into your own life is to work on doing things for others, even as you accept help toward your recovery. You can also implement these practices within your own family unit. Instead of placing your own needs at the forefront, make sure each family member is seen and heard. Work on reaching consensus within the family unit. Each person may not get exactly what they want, but working together ensures that each person’s needs are respected.
A Word From Verywell
Living up to these principles takes work and dedication, but so does becoming a part of AA. Like every part of a 12-step program, the journey begins with the first step. Learning more about the Twelve Traditions can give you a better understanding of how the process works and how the well-being of the group as a whole can play a role in your individual recovery.
