[citation needed] Marion Flesch (July 24, 1911 – October 10, 2004) is responsible for creating the groups that would become Emotions Anonymous.

Cloud State University) and at various times worked as a teacher, secretary, clerk, accountant, bookkeeper and office manager.

Later in life she became a certified chemical dependency counselor through the University of Minnesota and started work on a master's degree, but stopped at age 80 due to health concerns.

[2] Later Marion learned of another twelve-step program, Neurotics Anonymous and she started the first such meeting in Minnesota held April 13, 1966, at the Merriam Park Community Center in St. Paul.

[6] Jim Voytilla of the Ramsey County, Minnesota, Human Services Department created EA groups for intellectually disabled substance abusers in 1979.

EA members find they "hit bottom" when the consequences of their mental and emotional illness cause complete despair.

[16] In the Third Step members surrender their will to a Higher Power, this should not be understood as encouraging passiveness, rather its purpose is to increase acceptance of reality.

[15] The process of working the Twelve Steps is intended to replace self-centeredness with a growing moral consciousness and a willingness for self-sacrifice and unselfish constructive action; this is known as a spiritual awakening, or religious experience.

[18] The EA "Just For Todays" were adapted by a twelve-step organization for female victims of domestic violence with substance abuse histories, Wisdom of Women (WOW).