A Global Fellowship for Permanent Recovery

Founded in 1990, the How It Works Group offers structured daily Big Book meetings and a global community for those seeking a rigorous path to sobriety.

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Today's Daily Reading
☀️ Morning · 🌙 Evening
Read from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
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The Members of the How It Works Group Bid You Welcome

People struggling with addictions not only harm themselves—they invariably hurt their families, friends, and others. In other words, not only the alcoholic suffers from alcoholism.

As members of the How It Works Group, we recognize that we have no monopoly on the treatment of alcoholism.  We have, however, found a solution as provided in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly referred to as “The Big Book.” It is there that one may find precise answers to the question, “What do I have to do?” in order to recover. It is there that one may find a way out upon which we can absolutely agree.

 We invite all who suffer from alcoholism to join us.

Person holding a smartphone displaying an app called 'How It Works Group' with options for daily readings, meditation, online meetings, and other wellness activities.

Daily Meetings

Morning, afternoon, and evening—join us via Zoom or phone. With global access and a dedicated community, a meeting is never far away, wherever you are in the world.

Join a Meeting

No registration required.
Anonymity respected.

“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe.”
— Page 85

HIW Resources

  • ABOUT

    Our legacy, our mission, and the global fellowship that sustains us.

    Our Story
  • Close-up of the pages of a book fanned out, lying on a carpeted surface.

    DAILY READINGS

    Daily reflections focused on the mechanics of psychic change.

    Read Now
  • Wooden staircase with four steps, set against a plain white wall, showing natural wood grain and warm tones.

    STEP SHEETS

    A structured roadmap to the 12 Steps. Precision in practice.

    View Sheets
  • Close-up of a person reading a book or magazine at a table, with hands resting on the pages, in a well-lit environment.

    BOOK STUDY

    Deep-dive analysis of the Big Book. Clarity through collective study.

    Start Studying
  • A person in a gray sweatshirt sitting on a rocky surface, gazing at a mountain landscape with misty blue mountains in the background.

    DAILY MEDITATION

    Cultivating the discipline of pause. Quiet the mind, center the spirit.

    Listen Now
  • A leafless tree in a foggy landscape with a grassy field and sparse bushes nearby.

    PLAYING DEAD

    The core philosophy: Exploring the radical deflation of ego.

    Read More
  • A round cake with white frosting, topped with dark chocolate ganache that drips down the sides, and garnished with chocolate shavings on top.

    CAKE DAY

    Commemorating milestones of transformation within our global group.

    Celebrate
  • People sitting around a wooden table, engaged in a discussion or meeting, with notebooks and pens in front of them, in a well-lit room with large windows.

    STARTING A GROUP

    Carry the message further. Resources and guidance for establishing a new HIW fellowship.

    Get Started
  • Two hands holding a small black heart cutout against a plain white background.

    7TH TRADITION

    Practicing the principle of self-support to maintain our independence and global reach.

    Support Us
  • A person with a beard wearing a black t-shirt is looking at a smartphone inside a room with natural light, next to a green houseplant.

    MOBILE APP

    Your recovery companion for a global lifestyle. Access meetings, readings, and fellowship anywhere in the world.

    Download Free
“Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves.”
— Page 45

Everything You Need.
Always With You.

Screenshot of a mobile app interface with three screens. The left screen shows a menu with options like Home, Daily Readings, Book Study Audio, Meditation, and Contact Us. The middle screen displays a homepage with icons for Daily Readings, Daily Meditation, Online Meetings, Playing Dead, Step Sheets, and Book Study Audio. The right screen shows a meditation audio player playing a track titled 'Morning Meditation' with a sunset image in the background.

The How It Works Group mobile app puts your daily readings, step sheets, meditation audio, meeting access, and more, directly to your device—available for iPhone and Android.

Daily Readings Daily Readings Morning & Evening Step Sheets Step Sheets English & Español Meeting Dial-In Meeting Dial-In Phone & Zoom Meditation Audio Meditation Audio Morning & Evening Book Study Book Study 19 Week Audio Guide Playing Dead Playing Dead Core Concept Cake Day Cake Day Celebrate Milestones Meeting Locations Meeting Locations Find Us Near You
“Selfishness—self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.”
— Page 62

Reach Out

You don’t have to have it all figured out to reach us. Whether you have a question, need direction, or just want to connect—we’re here, and your anonymity is always respected.