<P> Alcoholics Anonymous ( AA ) , the first twelve - step fellowship , was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith , known to AA members as `` Bill W . '' and `` Dr. Bob '' , in Akron , Ohio . In 1946 they formally established the twelve traditions to help deal with the issues of how various groups could relate and function as membership grew . The practice of remaining anonymous ( using only ones first names ) when interacting with the general public was published in the first edition of the AA Big Book . </P>
<P> Alcoholics Anonymous ( AA ) , the first twelve - step fellowship , was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith , known to AA members as `` Bill W . '' and `` Dr. Bob '' , in Akron , Ohio . In 1946 they formally established the twelve traditions to help deal with the issues of how various groups could relate and function as membership grew . The practice of remaining anonymous ( using only ones first names ) when interacting with the general public was published in the first edition of the AA Big Book . </P>
where did the 12 step program come from
where did the 12 step program come from
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous