--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In 1935, when there were no other…" description: "\"“In 1935, when there were no other programs, the founders of AA, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, stepped up to the plate and took action to help a cr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/chris-prentiss-3634_12-step_in-1935-when-there-were-no-other-program_2409392.jpg" --- # In 1935, when there were no other programs, the founders… ![“In 1935, when there were no other programs, the founders of AA, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, stepped up to the plate and took action to help a crippled population. All credit for the establishment of their wonderful, life-saving group goes to them and to those who came after them who have…” quote by Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/chris-prentiss-3634_12-step_in-1935-when-there-were-no-other-program_2409392.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/chris-prentiss-3634_12-step_in-1935-when-there-were-no-other-program_2409392.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/chris-prentiss-3634_12-step_in-1935-when-there-were-no-other-program_2409392.jpg) > ““In 1935, when there were no other programs, the founders of AA, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, stepped up to the plate and took action to help a crippled population. All credit for the establishment of their wonderful, life-saving group goes to them and to those who came after them who have continued the tradition. However, there are not among the estimated two or three million who attend twelve-step meetings.”” [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Founders of AA created a supportive community for those struggling with alcoholism, pioneering the twelve‑step model. **In simple terms:** AA founders built a life‑saving community. Key Takeaway Recognize and support peer‑help groups. Themes addiction recovery community leadership Mood hopeful reflective Type inspirational historical When to use this quote - rehab centers - support groups - self‑help meetings - policy advocacy Key Concepts peer support step program social capital Questions to Reflect On - How can we expand access to twelve‑step programs? - What barriers prevent people from attending? A Different Perspective May not reach all who need help; stigma can limit participation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Addiction-treatment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction-treatment/) [Addiction-treatment-center](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction-treatment-center/) [Alcohol abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcohol-abuse/) [Alcoholism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcoholism/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-the-world/) [Chris-prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chris-prentiss/) [Drug abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug-abuse/) [Founders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founders/) [Passages-malibu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passages-malibu/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) ## Related quotes > [“In 1935, when there were no other programs, the founders of AA, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, stepped up to the plate and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/in-1935-when-there-were-no-other-programs-the-founders-of-aa-bill-2/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“Treatment for dependency at substance abuse treatment centers must change if alcoholism and addiction are to be overcome in our society.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/treatment-for-dependency-at-substance-abuse-treatment-centers-must/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“I recovered from recovering so no longer celebrate not doing bad things to defend myself as good. I added new bad for good measure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-spellman/i-recovered-from-recovering-so-no-longer-celebrate-not-doing-bad/) [Brian Spellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-spellman/) > [“One day at a time, sweet Jesus. Whoever wrote that one hadn’t a clue. A day is a fuckin’ eternity”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roddy-doyle/one-day-at-a-time-sweet-jesus-whoever-wrote-that-one-hadn-t-a-clue-a/) [Roddy Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roddy-doyle/) > [“Just as others pray daily, you should think to yourself daily about what you can do to be closer to this Ideal Image. Think:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bucky-sinister/just-as-others-pray-daily-you-should-think-to-yourself-daily-about/) [Bucky Sinister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bucky-sinister/) > [“We work it out, or live it out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/we-work-it-out-or-live-it-out/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [“They got drunk and high on a regular basis, but this is a vestige of youth that you either quit while you're young or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bucky-sinister/they-got-drunk-and-high-on-a-regular-basis-but-this-is-a-vestige-of/) [Bucky Sinister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bucky-sinister/) > [“Reflecting on this, Albert LaChance recognized an opportunity—what if the work he and so many others found so fruitful in the 12-Step recovery programs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-lachance/reflecting-on-this-albert-lachance-recognized-an-opportunity-what-if/) [Albert J. LaChance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-lachance/) ## More by Chris Prentiss > [“Most centers offer a one-program-fits all type of service, which is rather like a department store that sells one-size fits all clothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/most-centers-offer-a-one-program-fits-all-type-of-service-which-is/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [Your life today is the result of a series of decisions you made that have caused you to arrive where you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/your-life-today-is-the-result-of-a-series-of-decisions-you-made-that/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“If who you are and what you have is what you want, that's perfect. Keep doing what you've been doing and you'll get more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/if-who-you-are-and-what-you-have-is-what-you-want-that-s-perfect-keep/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [When people who believe themselves to be addicts or alcoholics come under great stress or trauma, they mentally give themselves permission to drink or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/when-people-who-believe-themselves-to-be-addicts-or-alcoholics-come/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“The challenges and changes you meet are, in effect, hand delivered to you by a generous, loving Universe for the purpose of making you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/the-challenges-and-changes-you-meet-are-in-effect-hand-delivered-to/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [Each river is different, but they all eventually lead to the ocean. No matter what we’re doing or when, or whether it brings us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/each-river-is-different-but-they-all-eventually-lead-to-the-ocean-no/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“Your perception of the world and the way you see yourself in it has created within your mind a concept, a philosophy, of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/your-perception-of-the-world-and-the-way-you-see-yourself-in-it-has/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“Alcohol is the drug ethanol. They are one and the same. Alcohol is also called ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. It is a chemical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/alcohol-is-the-drug-ethanol-they-are-one-and-the-same-alcohol-is-also/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [Whatever you are trying to achieve in life, it is essential that you surround yourself with people who believe that what you seek and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/whatever-you-are-trying-to-achieve-in-life-it-is-essential-that-you/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [The moment you make the internal changes necessary to obtain your goal, the outside world changes instantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/the-moment-you-make-the-internal-changes-necessary-to-obtain-your/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“Your actions create an "energy vortex" that draws in the necessary ingredients for your venture.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/your-actions-create-an-energy-vortex-that-draws-in-the-necessary/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“We like to take credit when we get a new idea, as if we originated the idea in our brain, but what we actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/we-like-to-take-credit-when-we-get-a-new-idea-as-if-we-originated-the/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [You can be happy if you are willing to let go of your past and leave yourself unencumbered so you can fly freely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/you-can-be-happy-if-you-are-willing-to-let-go-of-your-past-and-leave/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“A strong personal philosophy does more than sustain us through the tragedies of life. It also stains us daily in everything we think and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/a-strong-personal-philosophy-does-more-than-sustain-us-through-the/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“When nothing else worked, we created a holistic, hand-tailored program that saved Pax's life. At Passages, he and I use what we learned in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/when-nothing-else-worked-we-created-a-holistic-hand-tailored-program/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) [Explore all 125 Chris Prentiss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) ## More 12 step quotes > [I talk to people who go to rehab, and they get this AA book that they've got to read everyday - really thick book.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reginald-arvizu/i-talk-to-people-who-go-to-rehab-and-they-get-this-aa-book-that-they/) [Reginald Arvizu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reginald-arvizu/) > [If you find a path with no obstacles, it likely leads nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-devrye/if-you-find-a-path-with-no-obstacles-it-likely-leads-nowhere/) [Catherine DeVrye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-devrye/) > [I used to think, "I can't go to these meetings because they'll make me believe in God. Make me go to church." I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bucky-sinister/i-used-to-think-i-can-t-go-to-these-meetings-because-they-ll-make-me/) [Bucky Sinister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bucky-sinister/) > [One of the 12 steps is to admit that you're powerless, but I think that's bullshit. I think it's important to empower yourself by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-cole-smith/one-of-the-12-steps-is-to-admit-that-you-re-powerless-but-i-think/) [Zachary Cole Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-cole-smith/) > [My spiritual system is 12-step programs. That's the only one I've ever had. I didn't have one before that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/my-spiritual-system-is-12-step-programs-that-s-the-only-one-i-ve-ever/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [ I'll go through all of \[12 steps for people who say are traumatized by the election\], but a sample: Volunteer to fight Islamaphobia. Join… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-carlson/i-ll-go-through-all-of-12-steps-for-people-who-say-are-traumatized-by/) [Tucker Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-carlson/) > [“The 12-step chocoholics program: Never be more than 12 steps away from chocolate!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-moore/the-12-step-chocoholics-program-never-be-more-than-12-steps-away-from/) [Terry Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-moore/) > [ So you \[Nicholas Kristof\] have got this new column out, 12 steps for people who say are traumatized by the \[ Donald Trump\] election. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-carlson/so-you-nicholas-kristof-have-got-this-new-column-out-12-steps-for/) [Tucker Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-carlson/) > [The 12-step chocolate program: NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-moore/the-12-step-chocolate-program-never-be-more-than-12-steps-away-from/) [Terry Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-moore/) > [“AA purports to be open to anyone, as it is stated in Tradition Tree, "The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-prentiss/aa-purports-to-be-open-to-anyone-as-it-is-stated-in-tradition-tree/) [Chris Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-prentiss/) > [“Are you repeating someone else's narrative, taking it for granted? Talk therapy sessions and 12-step recovery shares help develop the ability to present a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-katehakis/are-you-repeating-someone-else-s-narrative-taking-it-for-granted-talk/) [Alexandra Katehakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-katehakis/) > [If you always do what you did, you'll always get what you got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-diamond/if-you-always-do-what-you-did-you-ll-always-get-what-you-got/) Marian Diamond > [While in the clinic, I discovered I had problems with concentration, motivation, attitude, and temper. I have found a new way of life through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-belle/while-in-the-clinic-i-discovered-i-had-problems-with-concentration/) [Albert Belle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-belle/) > [I think 12-step programs really work, rehab really works, certain types of therapies and talking to other addicts really work. There are a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cheever/i-think-12-step-programs-really-work-rehab-really-works-certain-types/) [Susan Cheever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cheever/) > [With the 12-step program, if you don't subscribe to that way of life completely, it can be seen as failing, and I think a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-martin/with-the-12-step-program-if-you-don-t-subscribe-to-that-way-of-life/) [Mae Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-martin/) Browse all 28 12 step quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In 1935, when there were no other programs, the founders of AA, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, stepped up to the plate and took action to help a crippled population. All credit for the establishment of their wonderful, life-saving group goes to them and to those who came after them who have continued the tradition. 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