Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC)
The professional community has been vitally important to the growth of AA since its founding in 1935. As an example, according to AA's 2007 Membership Survey, 39 percent of our members are now led to AA through the counsel of someone in the health-care field.
Guided by the principle Bill W. established of "being friendly with our friends," the SENY CPC Committee provides information about Alcoholics Anonymous to those in the professional community who have contact with alcoholics in the course of their work. These professionals include physicians, nurses, educators, members of the clergy, lawyers, social workers, human resources personnel, and union leaders, as well as those working in the field of alcoholism. Presentation topics generally include a brief history of Alcoholics Anonymous, our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, what AA is and is not, and how to contact AA.
CPC activities include:
• Arranging for and providing staffing and literature for exhibits at professional meetings in the South Eastern New York area.
• Responding to requests for speakers from professional groups, organizations, and programs in the Area.
• Providing presentations at Area events to encourage the involvement and participation of the Fellowship in carrying AA's message to professionals.
• Working with the General Service Office to provide staff for national events sponsored by professional organizations in the Area.
• Cooperating with Area local intergroups in responding to CPC requests.
The CPC committee also works cooperatively with SENY's Corrections, Public Information, and Treatment Facilities committees and other similar local service committees where responsibilities and fields of activity may overlap. More information on SENY's CPC activities is available in the SENY Service Handbook.
For more information or to become involved with CPC, go to the Standing/Ad Hoc Committee Events page or contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The Doctor's Program: A Service Opportunity for AA MembersSince 2001, the SENY CPC Committee has been cooperating with a program currently with the Smithers Alcoholism Treatment and Training Center that trains physicians to diagnose, treat, and case-manage alcoholics and other addicted patients. The Physician's Alcoholism and other Addiction Training program (PAAT)—informally known as "the Doctors Program"—includes the pairing of AA members with first-year residents from metro New York teaching hospitals to help the physicians understand the nature of alcoholism as experienced by the members and also to learn about the AA program of recovery. The committee also provides each participating physician with a copy of Alcoholics Anonymous and a packet of AA pamphlets. The anonymity of all AA members who participate is assured, in keeping with Traditions Eleven and Twelve. AA members identify themselves on a first-name basis only. If you are an AA member interested in participating, it is suggested that you have: • A year or more of continuous sobriety. • Familiarity with AA's Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. • A desire to share your experience, strength and hope. • Availability between the hours of 6 pm and 9 pm on a Monday and Wednesday evening in the same week (the commitment ends after these two evenings). Articles about the Doctors Program have appeared in AAWS' Box 4-5-9 (February-March 2005, pages 9-10) and in its newsletter for professionals, About AA (Winter 2007). Please contact the SENY CPC Committee at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it should you wish to participate or to learn more about this program. |
Some CPC resources
• AA and the Professional Community (SENY CPC pamphlet)
• AA as a Resource for the Health Care Professional (P-23)
• AA for Healthcare Professionals (video)
• AA for Legal and Corrections Professionals (video)
• AA Guidelines: Cooperating with Court, DWI and Similar Programs (MG-05)
• AA Guidelines: Cooperation with the Professional Community (MG-11)
• About AA: Newsletter for Professionals
• Cooperation with the Professional Community Workbook (M-41I)
• If You Are a Professional, AA Wants to Work with You (P-46)
• Is There an Alcoholic in the Workplace? (P-54)
• Let's Be Friendly with Our Friends: Friends on the Alcoholism Front (1958 AA Grapevine article by Bill W.)
• Members of the Clergy Ask About Alcoholics Anonymous (P-25)
• Memo on Participation of AA Members in Research and other Non-AA Surveys
• Other AAWS literature and information
• Professionals interested in AA may sign up to receive further information.
Contact Information for Professionals
Within the greater NYC area covered by SENY, the SENY CPC Committee is most easily reached at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. The CPC Desk at GSO may be reached at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or tel. 212-870-3400. When phoning GSO, ask the receptionist to direct your call to the CPC Desk.
 | AA and the Professional Community (SENY CPC Pamphlet) in pdf. (Filesize: 78 Kb) AA and the Professional Community (SENY CPC Pamphlet) in pdf. |