Alcoholics Anonymous –abbreviated A.A is an international community, founded by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in 1953, that helps people recovering from alcoholism and problematic alcohol consumption; the only requisite to be member of it, is the sincere desire to stop drinking. A.A uses mutual aid group therapy to help people deal with alcoholism; all the members of the community help each other to stay sober by sharing their past (and often painful) experiences with alcohol consumption as well as the positive experiences since they stop drinking. All the members of the community are equal, which not only reinforces the importance of mutual aid but also make the new comers fell welcome and appreciated. The individual begin to heal thanks to the support of other members and his own support to the community. The core method of the group is a set of twelve steps and twelve practice that members should follow to remain sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
To synthesize, Alcoholics Anonymous uses mutual aid and a set of spiritual principles (twelve steps and twelve traditions) to help people deal with alcoholism.