Traditionally, A.A. members have always taken care to
preserve their anonymity at the “public” level: press, radio, television,
and films.
In the early days of A.A., 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 A.A. grew, the positive values of
anonymity soon became apparent.
First, we know from experience that many problem
drinkers might hesitate to turn to A.A. for help if they thought their
problem might be discussed publicly, even inadvertently, by others.
Newcomers should be able to seek help with 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 A.A. is free to make his or her own
interpretations of A.A. tradition, no individual member is ever recognized
as a spokesperson for the Fellowship locally, nationally, or
internationally. Each member speaks only for himself or herself.
A.A. 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 A.A. 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.
Copyright © A.A. World Services, Inc.
Reprinted with permission.
