They are important to us because of both their similarities to Alcoholics Anonymous and their differences.

They were similar in 7 ways:

» They were alcoholics helping each other.
» The needs and interests of alcoholics were kept central.
» They held weekly meetings.
» In the meetings they shared their experiences.
» Fellowship of the group or its members was constantly available.
» They relied on the power of God.
» They practiced total abstinence from alcohol.

They were different in 5 ways:

» They allowed non-alcoholics, or those with other problems to become members.
» They had no single purpose. They also attempted to house & employee alcoholics. They also engaged in developing opinions outside their society.
» They had no clear-cut program of recovery. Each member could develop his or her own program.
» They did not believe in anonymity. Their people were constantly having their names put in the paper.
» They had no Traditions that guided them in how to preserve unity, and failed to develop any.