Coming across an article on a more glitzy website that brings to light some interesting topics, but oftentimes seems to exploit the world of recovery (my opinion) — I read the article, “Is It Time to Take the Anonymous Out of A.A.?” and its subsequent comments.
I always try to stay open-minded so I appreciate the many arguments about the world seeing addiction in a better light hence there may be less negative stereotyping occurring, however, the broader range of reasons for why we have anonymity in our Fellowships, it seems, is of greater importance. The spiritual foundation – remember that?
Interesting that on the same site, there is a rattling of cages about the archaic “slogans” used in the 12 Step Fellowships. I sense an attempt to rouse some controversy, for rousing controversy’s sake! I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford to have my serenity/sobriety riled up for a media buzz.
Thanks for drawing my attention to this article — and the writer’s suggestion that perhaps AA’s tradition of anonymity is passé. In the article, she asks, “What if hundreds of the movers and shakers in recovery—doctors and lawyers and airline pilots, the Fortune 500 businessmen and ministers—stood up and were counted as members of A.A? It would go a long way toward clearing away the misunderstanding that still surrounds us.”
Well, she has a point. But AA is definitely not the organization to spearhead such an effort. However, there already is a national organization developed specifically to educate Americans that alcoholism and other drug addictions are preventable and treatable and to address the stigma of alcoholism in ways that AA, especially, could not and should not. That organization is the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (http://www.williamwhitepapers.com/pr/2003NCADDhistorySummary.pdf).
In fact, they have already done exactly what the writer suggests, sponsoring “Operation Understanding” in 1976 in which fifty-two men and women known for their contributions in the areas of government, medicine, industry, science, journalism, and the arts publicly revealed their histories of recovery from alcoholism. This dramatic and emotional event brought together more than 50 well-known and widely respected figures–including astronaut “Buzz” Aldrin, actor Dick Van Dyke and congressman Wilbur Mills–at a press conference in Washington, DC where they announced their recovery from alcoholism (not their membership in AA). Newsweek later called it one of the most important news stories of the 70s.
Well, I have no doubt it’s time for such an “Operation” once again… But let’s not tie AA up with this effort. Let AA do what it does best: help and protect people as they’re getting sober.