Information for Professionals
“To reach more alcoholics, understanding of AA and public goodwill towards AA must go on growing everywhere. We need to be on still better terms with medicine, religion, employers, government, courts, prisons, mental hospitals and all enterprises in the alcoholic field. We need the ever-increasing goodwill of editors, writers, television and radio channels. These publicity outlets need to be opened ever wider.
Bill W (Our co-founder) 1951
Welcome to our Public Information (PI) service.
The aim of PI is to improve communications with professionals and the public sector and show how we can cooperate with your organisations in providing a free service to help with the growing problem of alcoholism.
For seventy-five years, AA has helped thousands of seemingly hopeless cases to recover from alcoholism through total abstinence: these men and women became sober, responsible members of society through attending AA meetings, practising our 12-step programme of recovery and helping others to recover from alcoholism.
There are Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every day and night of the week in all areas throughout the UK. Information about these can be obtained from our local PI officers or one of our three offices based in York, London or Glasgow.
Professionals who regularly use AA often do so by getting to know local PI officers personally and possibly attending open meetings.
In addition, PI teams will make formal presentations at seminars and conferences and give in-house training sessions or staff talks on a regular basis.
Local teams are available to attend exhibitions and displays and we can organise public meetings or attendance at AA open meetings where you can experience the form and dynamics of AA.
PI is the public relations work of Alcoholics Anonymous and aims to promote goodwill and provide a network of services for all professional organisations and the media.
In all public relations, AA’s sole objective is to help the still-suffering alcoholic. Always mindful of the importance of personal anonymity, we believe this can be done by freely making available to you an experience of what we are, what we can do and what we cannot do.
The following service functions have been created to assist professionals and the community.
Healthcare: working with hospital and treatment centre staff, including individual patient contact.
Employment: dialogue with management and human resource teams in the understanding of alcoholism and contact with employees who have a drinking problem.
Armed Services: members who are experienced in the armed services provide talks about the programme of recovery and the availability of worldwide meetings.
Prisons: prison visits and the holding of AA meetings for inmates.
Probation/Social Services: Provide a facility to introduce people on probation to AA meetings.
Members perform these services without payment, costing you and the taxpayer nothing.
If you wish to express an interest in what we offer or would like more information, these are our lines of contact.
Kent Contact Numbers.
Public Information Officers
West Kent +44(0) 7946597250
East Kent +44(0) 7586433996
National Contact Numbers.
Telephone the General Service Office on 01904 644026
The Southern Service Office on 020 7407 0700
The Northern Service Office on 0141 226 2214
The National Helpline number provides contact for the problem drinker.