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Anonymity
Traditionally, AA members have always taken care to
preserve their anonymity at the "public" level: press,
radio, television, and films. In the early days of AA,
when more stigma was attached to the term "alcoholic"
than is the case today, this reluctance to be
identified—and publicized—was easy to understand. As the
Fellowship of AA grew, the positive values of anonymity
soon became apparent.
First, we know from experience than many problem
drinkers might hesitate to turn to AA for help if they
thought their problem might be discussed publicly, even
inadvertently, by others. Newcomers should be able to
seek help with complete assurance that their identities
will not be disclosed to anyone outside the Fellowship.
Then, too, we believe that the concept of personal
anonymity has a spiritual significance for us—that it
discourages the drives for personal recognition, power,
prestige, or profit that have caused difficulties in
some societies. Much of our relative effectiveness in
working with alcoholics might be impaired if we sought
or accepted public recognition.
While each member of AA is free to make his or her
own interpretations of AA tradition, no individual is
ever recognized as a spokesperson for the Fellowship
locally, nationally, or internationally. Each member
speaks only for himself or herself. AA is indebted to
all media for their assistance in strengthening the
Tradition of anonymity over the years. From time to
time, the General Service Office contacts all major
media in the United States and Canada, describing the
Tradition and asking for cooperation in its observance.
An AA member may, for various reasons, "break
anonymity" deliberately at the public level. Since this
is a matter of individual choice and conscience, the
Fellowship as a whole obviously has no control over such
deviations from tradition. It is clear, however, that
such individuals do not have the approval of the
overwhelming majority of members. |
