What was the precursor to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?

The Washington Total Abstinence Society served as a significant precursor to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) because it was one of the earliest organizations committed to promoting complete abstinence from alcohol. Founded in the early 19th century, this society was instrumental in shaping the early idea of recovery through mutual support, reflecting the communal approach that later became central to the AA model.

Members of the Washington Total Abstinence Society shared their experiences and maintained their sobriety through fellowship, which resonates with the foundational principles of AA. The concepts of accountability and support within a community of peers struggling with similar issues were crucial elements that AA incorporated from this early group. The focus on shared experiences and recovery through community laid the groundwork for the twelve-step program that is a hallmark of AA today.

While other options may represent different movements or organizations aimed at addressing alcoholism and promoting sobriety, the Washington Total Abstinence Society has a more direct lineage to the founding ideas and practices that eventually evolved into Alcoholics Anonymous.