Grievance procedure

We are currently running a campaign to bring to the attention of AA members and the wider community some of the current abuses which are being perpetrated within Alcoholics Anonymous. Although AA as such (that is as an organisational entity) has neither the power nor the administrative mechanisms to deal directly with such complaints we do not believe that this removes from us - as AA members or AA groups - the responsibility (both moral and legal) for taking action to counter such conduct, and (where appropriate) involving the relevant law enforcement agencies. We have identified a number of areas of particular concern and these have been listed below. We would welcome any information relating to those specific issues (although we do not exclude any others that you may wish to bring to our attention), this preferably on the basis of first hand knowledge, and as far as possible with any corroborating information which can be provided. We appreciate that this is sometimes difficult but the more specific the complaint (dates, AA group, named individuals) the more likely action can be taken. None of the above excludes making representations on your own behalf and we would recommend the following:

Make the complaint in writing (recorded delivery) or by email (and asking for confirmation of receipt of mail):

Attn: The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Ltd
Alcoholics Anonymous,
PO Box 1,
10 Toft Green,
York YO1 7ND

Email:

Attn: The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Ltd
gso@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

There will then exist a documented record (both in your possession and in the hands of the General Service Board) for future reference.

Additionally, and where the person concerned has been referred to AA by another agency, a complaint may also be lodged with them. e.g. GP, probation officer, treatment centre, detox unit, counsellor etc. This will have the affect of alerting these agencies to matters which should be of concern to them.

In any instance where the complaint may include reference to conduct of a criminal nature then the matter should be reported to the police in the usual way.

The above measures, although they may not elicit a direct response from AA (for the reasons already stated), will serve to place additional pressure on the Fellowship to put its house in order.

The areas that we have identified to be of particular concern are as follows (though not necessarily in order of importance):

1) pressure placed upon an individual to desist from using medication prescribed by a health care professional
2) discriminatory behaviour against people with dual diagnosis
3) pressure placed upon an individual to desist from receiving counselling, or other forms of psychotherapy
4) pressure placed upon people to adopt a particular “religious” point of view, or engage in specific religious practices eg. attendance at church, praying in certain ways etc
5) pressure placed upon an individual to get an AA sponsor, and to take “directions” from that individual exclusively
6) pressure placed upon a person to attend only certain meetings, and associate only with certain prescribed individuals
7) sexually exploitative conduct eg. predatory behaviour
8) pressure to make financial contributions of a certain level to a specific group (or groups)
9) attempts to direct an individual to disengage from social contacts with friends, family etc
10) pressure placed upon an individual to embark on the 12 Step programme where they indicate an unwillingness to proceed
11) pressure placed upon an individual to attend events where an entrance fee is charged eg. so-called “workshops”, circuit speaker events etc

The “pressure” we refer to above may take many forms ranging from explicit and direct threats, to more subtle and implicit attempts to coerce the individual. In either case the key test is whether the individual feels they are being “bullied” ie. their perception is paramount.

We will endeavour to respond to all email enquiries individually and as quickly as possible. Please send these to the email addresses indicated on the home page of our site: www.aacultwatch.co.uk

For our part, (and where we are satisfied that the complaint is legitimate) we will endeavour to rectify this situation, both as an individual issue and as a general principle of conduct.

At the moment our efforts are primarily concentrated upon AA in Great Britain and can therefore deal only with that geographical region (we do not exclude widening that scope at a later date).

We cannot deal with grievances directed generally at AA (e.g. issues relating to the principles upon which AA is based etc). We accept that the AA approach does not suit everybody, and that moreover there are other means by which people may wish to deal with their alcohol problem.

We hope that the strategy indicated above will serve to give individuals with a grievance some sense that their concerns are being taken seriously by some members of Alcoholics Anonymous. We do not believe that such complaints can simply be dismissed as merely an outpouring of resentment by those for whom AA has not “worked”. We believe that AA members and groups need to understand that they operate in a wider social context and that they are accountable to the society in which they operate, and that anonymity cannot operate as a “mask” for unacceptable behaviour.

The Fellas