The Importance of  Anonymity

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.