Who is Bill W?

"My Name Is Bill W…and I am an alcoholic." .

In June 1935 William Griffith Wilson "Bill W" and Dr Robert Smith. "Bob S" co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous and developed the 12-step program that has helped millions around the world to overcome their addictions.

Bill Wilson stood in the lobby of the Mayflower Hotel in Akron, Ohio. He could hear the laughter and glasses clinking from the hotel bar and felt that irresistible urge that he had felt so many times before. His mind raced and his heart pounded as he fought to resist the lure. Then he remembered that helping others was one way to help himself and he resolved to find another alcoholic that he could help. He left the hotel and after a series of frantic phone calls found another alcoholic named Dr. Robert Smith, who agreed to meet with him. Dr. Smith was reluctant to meet with Bill at first but agreed to meet with him for a few minutes at his wife's urging. They spoke for five hours. Dr. Smith drank again a few weeks later on June 10, 1935 after returning home from a medical conference. That was the day he took his last drink and the day that marked the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Alcoholics Anonymous has more than 2 million members in over 150 countries today.

Bill Wilson's wife Lois founded Al-Anon and Alateen as support groups for spouses and children of alcoholics.