Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an informal meeting society for recovering alcoholics whose primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. AA suggests that alcoholics follow its program and abstain from alcohol in order to recover from alcoholism, and share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem. Alcoholics Anonymous : the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. 4th ed. New York : Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, 2001. ISBN 1893007162. Available online at blank">www.AA.org AA was the first twelve-step program and has been the model for similar recovery groups like _Narcotics Anonymous. Al-Anon/Alateen are programs designed to provide support for relatives and friends of alcoholics. The organization was named after its primary guidebook Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as The Big Book. The issue of AA effectiveness is controversial. Although AA is not for everyone and attrition rates tend to be high, there is evidence supporting the effectiveness of AA as a treatment for alcoholism.