The tradition of anonymity has been a critical part of AA, since it’s founding, in 1939.
Let us always remember that anonymity – not taking credit for our own or others recovery – is humility at work.
The Twelve Traditions Illustrated, published by World Services, New York, NY
In AA, The concept of humility – not taking credit for our own recovery – underpins the idea of anonymity. This humility, in the form of anonymity, is the very “spiritual foundation” of AA. Understanding anonymity and acquiring some form of humility are just two very important aspects of what we learn when we first come into 12 step recovery.
Also, understanding anonymity is a vital safeguard that ensures AA continues to help alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Anonymity on a personal level is always an individual choice. However, there is a distinction between what is our own choice as an AA member: either to reveal our own participation in AA, or to choose anonymity. However, it is another thing entirely to reveal another person’s AA membership.
AA Anonymity
It has often been observed in AA meetings that the steps protect us from ourselves, and the concepts embodied in the traditions protect AA as a whole from those that would try to destroy it. Without those concepts, AA, and all the other 12 step recovery programs that have been patterned after AA, would not continue to exist in their current form.
AA Anonymity, and ideas with regard to how individual groups should function, were originally established by the founders of AA, along with AA’s early members. It was through trial and error, and sometimes bitter experience, that these concepts came into being. AA anonymity is one of the most important, because anonymity serves as a basic tenet of 12 step recovery.
Anonymity At The Level of Press, Radio and Films
For new members understanding anonymity is vital to the continued success of any 12 step recovery program. In addition to personal anonymity, being anonymous at the level of press radio and films is just as important. Anonymity at this level is a vital safeguard to ensure the continued success of 12 step programs.
Additionally, anonymity serves as an additional safeguard against those who may want to use the the AA program for personal gain, as well as those who would try to change the basic idea for which the 12 steps were designed .
Essential Ideas
Tradition Five tells us that, “each group has one primary purpose”, and Tradition Six states that AA does not, “endorse, finance or lend the AA name” to any outside scheme or venture. These concepts were designed to keep AA from being distracted from it’s primary purpose by money, property or prestige.
Tradition Eleven tells us that the public relations policy of AA is, “attraction, rather than promotion”. These concepts help AA and the other 12 step recovery programs remember their primary focus: “to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers”. If we are to do this, it is essential that we therefore maintain personal anonymity, at the public level, at least.
Understanding Anonymity
The importance that each member’s anonymity should be protected originated in 1939, by the founder of AA, Bill W. In the “Forward To First Edition” of the book Alcoholics Anonymous, he thought that at that time, there were too few members to handle what was expected to be an “overwhelming number of personal appeals” to AA, resulting from the first publication of the book.
Then, because of the media response that AA was receiving in its early days, it was in that same Forward, that Bill W. also asked the press that members anonymity be observed. After that, the idea of member anonymity expanded to include anonymity at the level of press radio and films; the identity of members of AA were not to be revealed, by the press, or by members themselves.
Anonymity at the Personal Level
Understanding anonymity at the personal level also allows us to express humility. Some form of humility is absolutely required, if we problem drinkers and addicts are to achieve any recovery from our addiction.
To remind us of this fact, the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions are read at every AA meeting. This reading is a recognition reminding us that we must keep these ideas prominent. We alcoholics and addicts need occasional reminders of what is important, and anonymity remains a one of the most vital concepts to our continued success in recovery.
Identification by Last Names
There are many reasons why individuals who have a drinking problem may want to be anonymous. We therefore avoid identification by using last names. At their first meeting, newcomers are not always aware of this. The option allows us to either choose to maintain our own anonymity at the personal level, or reveal our own participation in recovery to others.
Again, anonymity serves two equally vital functions. The first is that anonymity reminds individual members never to inadvertently break another person’s identity as an AA member. The second reminds us to maintain anonymity at the public level, meaning press, radio, films and TV. Social media, and the internet in general, should also be included.
The Eleventh Tradition and AA Anonymity
Located in New York, NY, AA World Services, publishes books and pamphlets that assist in understanding anonymity by placing a special importance on, and explaining in detail, anonymity as it relates to the individual, and to AA as a whole.
The Eleventh Tradition states that the policy of AA at the public level is attraction, rather than promotion. And that AA has no opinion on outside issues, and that anonymity should be maintained at the public level.
Certainly, individuals can choose to let the people close to them know they have joined AA, however, many times those people have already noticed the difference. Again, such a disclosure is, of course, always a personal choice.
The Twelfth Tradition and AA Anonymity
This tradition of anonymity also reminds us “to place principles before personalities.” Not only must we practice the twelve steps in our lives, we must also try to practice the principles embodied in them, as well.
And these principles are: honesty, hope, faith, courage, integrity, willingness, humility, responsibility, restitution, perseverance, spirituality and service. This list can vary slightly from group to group, but the ideas expressed are the same.
Protecting Anonymity
Protecting the anonymity of other members is the responsibility of each person in AA meetings, or wherever addicts and alcoholics gather together. Being anonymous in 12 step meetings allows us a certain freedom and safety.
This concept applies to the internet and social media as well. Breaking your own or the anonymity of another person at the level of press, radio or at the public level in general, is expressly prohibited by the traditions. There are a variety of reasons that we adhere to this principle. It is for the protection of everyone, including ourselves, that we do so.
Anonymity is the Foundation
Anonymity is the foundation of Twelve Step Recovery. The website Alcoholics Anonymous has this definition of what is meant:
Anonymity is often referred to as the greatest single protection the Fellowship has to assure its continued existence and growth. In stressing the equality of all A.A. members — and unity in the common bond of their recovery from alcoholism — anonymity serves as the spiritual foundation of A.A.
Maintaining Anonymity
Understanding anonymity, and forming principles around the concept, was not an easy task, at first. Just one example is the story of how the idea that the public relations policy of AA, being based on the attraction of members, rather than promoting or advertising AA, came to be.
During the early years of AA, there were a few overzealous AA’s that wanted to build a community center. This center would be sponsored and financed by AA. They envisioned an AA club, a detox, a treatment program. Additionally there would be job training, money given to pay debts, and many more services. Needless to say, the project failed – too many people wanted something other than to just attain sobriety alone.
AA Members
AA members are able to achieve recognition through such things as service to the group by taking on the everyday jobs such as setting up and chairing meetings, organizing outreach into the community and taking meetings to jails and other places where they may not be easily organized.
Today, Twelve Step recovery has ever growing numbers of ex-problem drinkers as well as for most any other addiction or compulsion you can name. The reason for this success rests solely on the creation and observance of the ideas in the Traditions as a basic guideline and safeguard for groups. Understanding anonymity is the most important concept embodied, and is one of the main reasons 12 Step programs have been in existence, and continued to grow, for nearly 90 years.
Turning Point of Tampa
Turning Point of Tampa offers a full continuum of care with Medical Detox, Residential Treatment, Day Treatment with housing (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP) for alcohol and drug addiction. We also offer treatment for eating disorders and dual diagnosis.
Turning Point of Tampa’s goal is to always provide a safe environment and a solid foundation in 12-Step principals, in tandem with quality individual therapy and group therapy. We have been offering Licensed Residential Treatment for Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders and Dual Diagnosis in Tampa since 1987. If you need help or know someone who does, please contact our admissions department 24 hrs per day.
