ANONYMITY

Definition of Anonymity:
The condition of being anonymous.

Synonyms of Anonymity:
Obscurity, facelessness, namelessness, nowhere, nowheresville, etc.

These notes are from recovery in AA and/or related 12 step programs.
Readers are encouraged to click the external link for more detail.
We hope you find them helpful.

Love in fellowship.

Since there are no rules in A.A.
I place myself where I want to be, and so I choose anonymity.

I want my God to use me, humbly, as one of His tools in this program.
Sacrifice is the art of giving of myself freely, allowing humility to replace my ego.

With sobriety,  I suppress that urge to cry out to the world, “I am a member of A.A.” and I experience inner joy and peace. I let people see the changes in me and hope they will ask what happened to me.

I place the principles of spirituality ahead of judging, fault-finding, and criticism.
I want love and caring in my group, so I can grow. –Daily Reflections | More…

Few of us are anonymous so far as our daily contacts go. Though we earnestly request reporters not to disclose our identities, when we speak before semi-public gatherings.

We wish to convince audiences that our alcoholism is a sickness we no longer fear to discuss before anyone. If, however, we venture beyond this limit, we shall surely lose the principle of anonymity forever. –As Bill Sees It | More… (p.278).

We now fully realize that 100 per cent personal anonymity before the public is just as vital to the life of A.A. as 100 per cent sobriety is to the life of each and every member.
This is not counsel of fear; it is the prudent voice of long experience. –As Bill Sees It | More… (p.299)

Moved by the spirit of anonymity, we try to give up our natural desires for personal distinction as A.A. members, both among fellow alcoholics and before the general public.
As we lay aside these very human aspirations, we believe that each of us takes part in the weaving of a protective mantle which covers our whole Society and under which we may grow and work in unity. –As Bill Sees It | More… (p.316)

Here was something rare in the world-a society which said it wished to publicize its principles and its work, but not its individual members. Anonymity is a way for me to work on my humility. Since pride is one of my most dangerous shortcomings, practicing humility is one of the best ways to overcome it. The attraction created by my changing attitudes and my altruism contributes much more to the welfare of A.A. than self-promotion. –Daily Reflections | More…

Protection for all
Anonymity provides protection for all members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard often of special importance to newcomers. Attraction is the main force in the Fellowship of A.A.

The miracle of continuous sobriety of alcoholics within A.A. confirms this fact every day. Alcoholics Anonymous is not anonymous, but its members should be. –Daily Reflections 30/11 | More…

The word ‘anonymous’ has for us an immense spiritual significance. Subtly but powerfully it reminds us that we are always to place principles before personalities; that we have renounced personal glorification in public; that our movement not only preaches, but actually practices a truly humble modesty.–Grapevine: Bill W. January 1946, The Language of the Heart

Tradition Eleven: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.

Therefore, a great responsibility fell upon us to develop the best possible public relations policy for Alcoholics Anonymous. Through many painful experiences, we found that we had to rely upon the principle of attraction rather than of promotion. –12 & 12 p.180-181 | More…

The Principles of the Twelve Traditions
Tradition One: Unity
Tradition Two: Trust
Tradition Three: Identity
Tradition Four: Autonomy
Tradition Five: Purpose
Tradition Six: Solidarity
Tradition Seven: Responsibility
Tradition Eight: Fellowship
Tradition Nine: Structure
Tradition Ten: Neutrality
Tradition Eleven: Anonymity
Tradition Twelve: Spirituality

The 12 Traditions of AA are a set of guidelines for how the organization should function. They were developed by the early members in response to problems as they arose. The 12 Traditions first appeared as a set of principles in 1946. It is unlikely that AA could have survived so many years without these guiding regulations.