Carrying the A.A. Message Into Psychiatric Mental Health Settings A.A. members have been carrying the message of experience, strength and hope to patients in public and private psychiatric and mental health settings since the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous. In 1939, Dr. Russell Blaisdell allowed A.A. members to bring meetings into Rockland (New York) State Hospital. Alcoholics recovered there and, with A.A. involvement, many patients in similar settings continue to recover today. Carrying the A.A. message to alcoholics in treatment settings, such as locked psychiatric units, detoxification units, or medical-surgical units, where alcoholics might be dually diagnosed with mental illness, often requires additional flexibility and extra cooperation with facility staff. However, A.A. members who have experience carrying the A.A. message of recovery into psychiatric treatment settings have shared that this work is very similar to that found in other types of treatment settings. The essential elements for success include enthusiasm, preparation, and a good understanding of A.A.’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.