I'm not down with the broad application of the idea of going public for those in recovery. Too many negatives, IMHO.
It's an idea that seems to be getting a bit of support from various folks in or around recovery.
To those who want voluntarily doff their anonymity, go right ahead. Just make sure you stringently protect that of others. I would be very careful in communications with AAers who've gone public.
There is more to anonymity than the public relations aspect, which this article seems to miss. The AA fellowship today is more anonymous than it has ever been. We break tradition 11 daily by maintaining anonymity at every level, even from each other. I suppose that is personal choice, but on the otherhand a lot of good can come from your community knowing about your recovery. I have gotto work with several new prospects this way. Through step 9 my anonymity had to be blown. It resulted in severl ex work mates getting sober years later. Turns out the saw (I bore witness to) God's power in my life. They thought if it worked for me it could work for them too.
I am all for less anonymity. Our traditions allow for it, we just need to understand what anonymity is really about. It aint about being so anonymous that we can't help anyone.
I'm not embarrassed to tell anybody I'm alcoholic. And I don't think it hinders my standing or progress in society. Now, if I was still active, (drinking), then, I would be hiding it. Or, I would just tell people I like to drink after work, and on my days off.
I wouldn't tell them I drink first thing in the morning.
People knew when I was a falling down drunk,,they know for decades I live in daily recovery and many ask me how I did it..With God,all things are possible(and a fit spiritual condition doing the daily work)
,,I protect your anonymity,mine is an open book ,always has been.....I keep it on me here...
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Speaking for myself, I really don't mind who knows I'm in A.A., but I will never reveal to outsiders the names of other members. ("Who was that?" "Oh, we were in a band together. We opened up for Aerosmith in Guam back in '88.", etc.)
I am all for less anonymity. Our traditions allow for it, we just need to understand what anonymity is really about. It aint about being so anonymous that we can't help anyone.
Bill W. wrote in 1955 about this. He warned against self-serving anonymity breaks to the public. He said:
We now fully realize that 100 percent personal anonymity before the public is just as vital to the life of AA as 100 percent sobriety is to the life of each and every member. This is not the counsel of fear; it is the prudent voice of long experience.
I am all for less anonymity. Our traditions allow for it, we just need to understand what anonymity is really about. It aint about being so anonymous that we can't help anyone.
Bill W. wrote in 1955 about this. He warned against self-serving anonymity breaks to the public. He said:
We now fully realize that 100 percent personal anonymity before the public is just as vital to the life of AA as 100 percent sobriety is to the life of each and every member. This is not the counsel of fear; it is the prudent voice of long experience.
Couldn't agree more. Self serving anonymity breaks have disaster written all over them. I am not familiar with Bill's writing quoted above but it seems the context "before the public" is public relations policy, and spiritual foundation. No celebs, no big shots, all spiritually equal in AA, and maintaining anonymity at the level of press, radio, tv and films.
To Quote Dr Bob, "To maintain anonymity at any other level is just as much a breach of this tradition."
I am in a strange town at the moment and will be for a while. There is no AA here. I have arranged to be listed on the AA website as a local contact. That is fairly anonymous. If I get a call, my anonymity will be blown if I respond. Likewise, I intend to visit local churches and hospitals to see if I can find any drunks that want help. In each case I will have to disclose my AA membership and practice of the AA program as the reason for my enquiry. So when I give a prospect, or an AA friend such as a doctor my full name and details of how to contact me, I am not breaching any traditions, I am simply carrying out the fifth tradition and 12th step. None of this activity is "before the public", it concerns only those directly involved.
-- Edited by Fyne Spirit on Monday 15th of February 2016 02:34:10 AM
I've had this happen twice ... @ under 2 years in AA, I went to the hospital to visit an AA brother (on separate occasions) ... got there and went to the 'info desk' to find their rooms, only to realize, I had 'NO' idea what their 'last names' were ... I only had the 'letter' it began with ... so in both cases I made a futile search of the different floors where the sick and injured people were, and left with 'gift in hand' ... (cause search'n at random is futile)(and yes, I called around and the ones I could get a hold of didn't know the last names either) ...
One was my sponsor, go fig'r ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I have had exactly the same thing happen Pappy. It feels really silly to tel the receptionist that the person is a very important friend whose last name we don't know. It is a strange concept that we should be anonymous from each other. It never used to be that way. Within the fellowship we all knew each other's last names and could always find each other if we needed to. I'll draw a distinction here between the active members and the newcomer who is guaranteed that we will keep his presence confidential for as long as he wants it that way. The thing is, if the prospect comes by way of 12 step call or hospital referral, we will likely be told his surname early in the peice, and we have no reason to hide our own identity in such a situation.
I think I will start introducing myself at meetings with my full name.
Ya know Mike, the funny thing is, AA isn't the only organization that values anonymity ... hospitals in particular are very suspicious of some guy walk'n in to see a "good friend" and doesn't know his friend's last name ... it makes them think you're up to 'no good' ... and they're not about to go through and tell you 'we have 3 Mikes in house and give you the 3 room numbers' ...
And I think in the Big BB, we're taught that help'n others even carries a greater personal value if done anonymously, mean'n that we should not boast about how 'good' we are to others when we help someone out ... that only goes to boost one's ego and the 'Big Guy' doesn't look on that kind of act kindly ...
I noticed in our meet'ns that there were a few that gave their full names when share'n ... and after I had 5, maybe 6 years, I started do'n that as well ... heck, I didn't have anything to hide anymore, my life had become an open book, much like Bill and Bob ... so, in the rooms, I do not have reason to protect my identity, but outside those rooms I hold anonymity close to the vest, just as our 12th Tradition states ... because it YOUR identity I must protect ... it is not up to me to reveal who you are or how I came to know you ...
(Of course anonymity on the internet is a different story ... I don't give out my email address, or phone #, to just anybody ... and when I do, I expect that person to keep that info to themselves ...) ...
Love you guys and God Bless, Pappy(Roger)
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
