It all began with the wives of early AA members who realized

their own need for change. They came together while their hus-

bands were at meetings, and as they waited, talked over their own

difficulties and tried to help each other find solutions. In helping

each other, they tried to apply AA s Twelve Steps to their own

lives, each group making whatever changes it felt was necessary.

By 1950, some 87 groups and individuals had asked AA for list-

ing in its directory. These requests were referred to Lois, the wife

of AA s co-founder, who became the co-founder of the A1-Anon

Family Groups. Lois and her friends set about unifying these

groups and providing them with guidance and service.

It was soon apparent that there would have to be a program

with which all groups were in agreement. The adaptation of AA s

Steps in final form came about after a number of these scattered

groups had been brought together as a unified fellowship under

the name of "AI-Anon Family Groups." Thus, A1-Anon was born

of a real need for sharing.

Although we were far too young and inexperienced as a fellow-

ship to have established any Traditions of our own, we knew our

unity depended upon living by some such guideline. Then the AA

Traditions, also amended to fit the needs of A1-Anon, became part

of the program.

In the early years, the only source of help for children affected by the drinking of others, was to attend A1-Anon and AA meet-

ings. It was at these meetings with their parents that they learned

about alcoholism and its effects on the family.

In 1957, a high school boy in California felt the need to talk

with others who could identify with his sharing. Out of this need,

other A1-Anon Family Groups were created and called "Alateen."

As an integral part of AI-Anon, Alateen members follow the same

program.