December 3 in A.A. History

In 1940, the Alcoholic Foundation in New York City responded to a request for help from Dr. Gilbert “Gil” K. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, made on October 23.

    As you already know, our work extends far beyond the book itself and is carried on mainly through the efforts of one alcoholic who has recovered in behalf of others. This mutual effort in various localities gradually leads to weekly meetings which are held without dues, fees, or obligations of any sort whatever, merely a desire on the part of AA members, now numbering some 1,500, to aid others similarly troubled. Since you already acknowledge the fact that alcohol is a problem to you, you have already taken the most important step toward a solution. And too, since you are obviously seeking an answer to the problem you are naturally another step closer to reaching an answer. Therefore, if you are at all open minded to the principles and methods of AA you should have little difficulty in solving the problem as we have. We are sorry indeed to advise you that we have no A.A. Fellowship in Milwaukee or its immediate vicinity; the closest to you being located at Madison, Wisconsin or Chicago Illinois. If you are interested in contacting our members at either locality, and it is possible for you to do so, please let us hear from you again and complete information will be forwarded.

Today in A.A. History—December 3–5

In 1979, the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association (AMA), the AMA’s principal legislative and policymaking body, endorsed the dual classification of alcoholism in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), recognizing it in both the psychiatric and medical sections [right: resolution from the AMA’s Proceedings of the House of Delegates 33rd Interim Meeting, page 208].