ANONYMITY

From its inception, AA has promised personal anonymity to all who attend its meetings. Through their own experiences as recovering alcoholics, the founders and pioneer members understood that most alcoholics felt ashamed of having been drinkers, and that many feared public exposure of their alcoholism. The social stigma of alcoholism was great, and early members realized that a strong guarantee of anonymity would be imperative in order to attract other alcoholics and help them achieve sobriety.  Over the years, anonymity has proven to be one of the greatest gifts AA can offer the still-suffering alcoholic. Although the stigma has gradually diminished, most newcomers still find admitting their alcoholism so painful that they can only do so in a protected environment. Anonymity is essential to creating this atmosphere of trust and openness. 

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As valuable as confidentiality is to them, most newcomers also have a keen desire to share the news of their membership in Alcoholics Anonymous with their families. But the decision to reveal it is always the member's own business. In general, AA tries to ensure that every member can feel as protected and be as secretive or open as they wish regarding their membership in the Fellowship, as long as it is understood that anonymity at the level of the press, TV, radio, Movies and other media technologies such as the Internet are crucially important to maintaining our sobriety and growth, both personally and as a group.