Tradition 10 · October 6

The Right Kind of Education

Daily Traditions · October 6

The threat

The first member who dragged A.A. into a public fight was sure he was helping, and that is what made him dangerous. Bill W. (A.A. pamphlet P-17, pp. 52–53): "Presently an A.A. member began to publish a crusading magazine devoted to the cause of Prohibition. He thought Alcoholics Anonymous ought to help make the world bone-dry." Prohibition was the law that banned liquor outright. He told his readers he was an A.A. member. "He pointed out that he too was an “educator,” and that his brand of education was the “right kind.” As for putting A.A. into public controversy, he thought that was exactly where we should be." Now read it as the man still drinking. He picks up a magazine that says A.A. wants his bottle outlawed. He does not hear one member's opinion. He hears that the rooms are a temperance society, and he does not call. The long form names this exact fight, "alcohol reform" (Big Book, p. 565), because it is the one a drunk is surest to be on the other side of. Today the "right kind of education" comes printed in a program's brochures and campaigns about drinking, with A.A. named as if it had signed on. Test it tonight: find where your meeting is advertised, and read what else that page says.

Sit with

A sincere member put A.A.'s name on a Prohibition magazine, and every drinker who read it learned the rooms wanted his bottle. What does my room's name say to a man who is still drinking?

Grounded in: P-17, pp. 52–53 (Bill W., on anonymity); long form, Tradition 10 (Big Book, p. 565).

Tradition 10

"Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy."

Read the Long Form (pp. 563–566). The short form on pp. 561–562 is the one everybody quotes — but the Long Form is where the Traditions actually say what they mean. Tradition 3's "no other affiliation" clause, for instance, exists only in the Long Form. That single clause is why no treatment centre can own an A.A. group. Most of what circulates online skips it.

And a distinction worth keeping straight: the Traditions are governance, not theology. They bind A.A. groups and the Fellowship — not individuals, and not outside businesses. They were adopted in 1950 to keep A.A. from being owned or co-opted. They are not a rulebook for your personal life.

What the Traditions actually say → The Long Form, p. 563 → Search the Big Book → Every day this month →

Ask Recovery Einstein about Tradition 10 → Get the app →

← October 5Evangelist or Reformer Tradition 10All of October October 7 →Fifty Per Cent

Daily Traditions is an independent educational resource from Recovery Starts — not official A.A. literature, not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, and not medical advice. The Twelve Traditions are the property of A.A. Page references are to Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), 4th Edition: short form 561–562, long form 563–566. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).