To the nervous individual who may fear being dominated by the group or Program, the author asserts, "No A.A. can compel another to do anything; nobody can be punished or expelled. Our Twelve Steps to recovery are suggestions; the Twelve Traditions which guarantee A.A.'s unity contain not a single 'Don't.' They repeatedly say 'We ought...' but never 'You must!'" (Page 129) Thus, Tradition One is at least partially concerned with power over the individual: Just as in Tradition Three, there is none.

Despite the lack of power in the group, there is no anarchy. Individuals who are properly armed with the facts about themselves are aware of the fatal nature of their malady, and of their need for spiritual principles as a remedy. It is important to note that this necessity is imposed by the nature of the disease, not by the Fellowship itself. Any would-be authority figures suffer from the same condition, after all. Individual survival depends on group survival, as well as carrying the A.A. message. Thus, this Tradition is linked to both Step Twelve at the individual level and Tradition Five at the group level. Individual cooperation is ensured through practice of spiritual principles as taught in the literature reinforced by the group. The Fellowship has a similar need to follow spiritual principles (aka the Traditions) to promote its own survival.

Just as his personal conscience and independence are assured by this Tradition, the individual is called upon to restrain himself at certain times: "Realization dawns that he is but a small part of a great whole; that no personal sacrifice is too great for preservation of the Fellowship. He learns that the clamor of desires and ambitions within him must be silenced whenever these could damage the group." (Page 130) In other words, freedom comes with certain responsibilities. Another example of Humility in our Program.