Are Addicts Ready to Shed their Anonymity and Face Society with their Names?

Is It Time to Take the Anonymous Out of AA, NA and other 12 Step Programs?

In opposition to the traditions of AA, an article in The New York Times by David Colman advocates a non-anonymous 12-step program for alcoholics, addicts, and substance users.

Is It Time to Take the Anonymous Out of A.A.? was the subject of an essay by New York Times columnist, bestselling novelist and biographer, Susan Cheever, in The Fix. 

“A.A.’s principle of anonymity may only be contributing to general confusion and prejudice.” - Susan Cheever

Considering that Cheever has written books about her alcoholism and the alcoholism of her father, the well-known writer, John Cheever, as well as the best-selling, “My Name Is Bill,” biography of the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, you would think her to be an advocate of anonymity. However, in her essay she expressed her frustrations about trying to practice anonymity while trying to speak bluntly about addiction, writing:

“We are in the midst of a public health crisis when it comes to understanding and treating addiction,” Cheever wrote. “A.A.’s principle of anonymity may only be contributing to general confusion and prejudice.”

Although her message wasn’t exactly greeted with open arms, sparking a flood of mostly critical comments from the site’s readers, she showed her commitment and bravery when she wrote:

"Anonymity has long protected alcoholics from stigma. But cloaking ourselves in strict secrecy seems like an odd strategy in the modern world. Any individual is entitled to maintain his or her anonymity. But as public perception of alcoholism and addiction begins to change, shouldn't A.A. change as well?"

As expected, this fueled an avalanche of angry comments, such as; “Without ANONYMITY, A.A. will not continue to exist and help millions of alcoholics and addicts all over the world!”)

This sentiment was shared by Hilding Ohrstrom, LCPC, CCS, an addiction counselor, who wrote during a LinkedIn discussion of he subject, “…I don't know that a group such as that would get too many members, though. I am reminded though of former clients who did not want anyone to see their cars outside of meetings or counseling centers but didn't mind them being seen at local gin mills,” though I believe there are enough addicts with enough balls out there, who are willing to come clean and stand behind what they have to say with their name.

However, a well certified counselor, Tony Trimble, Ed.S. LMHC, SP, ACC, CFAE, wrote during that same LinkedIn discussion, “I have rarely worked with a client who has expressed great concern about his anonymity in AA groups. Some even believe that making themselves known gives them greater credibility to talk to others about being addicted. That said, I think the obligation still exists for clients to avoid doing anything that would expose others who may take their anonymity seriously.”

Another addiction counselor taking part in that LinkedIn discussion, Patrick Dieter, CDP, CADC II, BHT, said, “I believe that most secrets are harmful, but having said that, it is not my place to "out" other people's confidential stuff. With "rehab" being almost fashionable these days, I suspect the stigma about alcoholism may have shifted somewhat, yet I still run into people every day who don't truly understand the disease and seem to thing that alcoholism is just an excuse for some sort of character flaw. Oh, sorry -- that's the Big Book. It seems that people who do not suffer from the disease are almost incapable of understanding why addicts can't just "snap out of it." They see it as excuse making, and laziness. Sad.”

“Having to deny your own participation in a program that is helping your life doesn’t make sense to me,” said Maer Roshan, the editor of The Fix, a new, modern, in-step Web magazine targeting the recovery world. “You could be focusing light on something that will make it better and more honest and more helpful.”

"AA is not the Cosa Nostra, the KKK, the Skull & Bones Society, or the Illuminati. Indeed, one of Alcoholics Anonymous’ favorite aphorisms is, “You’re only as sick as your secrets.” So why do we continue to deny our association with this life-saving program? Times and attitudes towards addiction have changed radically in the past few years. Isn't it time for A.A. to change with them?" writes Leonard Buschel, a strong, not anonymous AA advocate and supporter in his article, The Never-Ending Argument Against Anonymity in AA, also appearing on The Fix.

"The cloak of anonymity makes it hard for people who are seeking treatment to get the lowdown on rehab programs; it's often hard to determine, for instance, if a program is run by 12-step group members who believe that their way is the only way. Preserving anonymity has also been used as a reason not to conduct research on the effectiveness of 12-step programs — even though research participants in all studies remain anonymous anyway," writes Maia Szalavitz, in her article, The Addiction Files: How Do We Define Recovery?, which appeared on Time's Healthland website.

As you can see, more and more people have been speaking out against the Anonymous Concept associated with AA, NA and other similar 12 Step Programs.

If people didn't need rewards, they wouldn't have invented awards!

Could this outcry against anonymity be associated with people's need for affirmation and acknowledgement associated with success? More and more people, including myself, are wanting to attach their names to their achievements. This doesn't mean we don't ever want to do something for someone else without receiving recognition or reward, but sometimes one needs a pat on the back, if for nothing else but to reassure ourselves that we are on the right track. 

Yes, most people want to put their names on their articles, stories, poems and songs, as it is only natural for people to want credit for what they have created. However, this is a two edged sword, considering this in essence requires people to take responsibility for their actions. And this is something that most drug addicts have avoided their whole drug using career.

By shedding the anonymous, addicts become accountable for everything they say, write or do, which, I believe, is the way it should be. I believe this to be a very important step in addiction recovery.

The Anonymous Factor may have been useful, even crucial at one time, back when addiction was still seen as a humiliating weakness of character. And although today addiction is seen more as for what it is, a very common disease anybody can get, many people in AA or NA will do anything and everything but break their anonymity, still identifying themselves only as a “recovering alcoholic” or "recovering addict". But what if, as Susan Cheever pondered, the movers and shakers of the world who are in AA or NA - the senators and congressmen, ministers, doctors and lawyers and Fortune 500 businessmen—stood up and were counted as members of A.A? It would go a long way toward clearing away the misunderstandings that still surround addiction.

Anonymity may protect, but it also hides, says Cheever. The act of coming out has been critical to ending negative stereotypes and stigma for the gay community. The fact that AA membership is secret with many meetings not open to those who haven't stopped drinking, the group has become increasingly cult-like, with a secret language and rituals. 

I never liked AA and NA's ritualistic, strict, rigid and stubborn program, with no room for compromise or tolerance. Still, everybody is different, and there are many who need the structure that anonymous 12-step programs provide. Just as others need the authority associated with military life, many in AA and NA need someone to take charge over them, making these programs with their sponsors the perfect environment for them.

Because everyone is different, the world needs more alternatives to 12-step groups so that those in recovery can have more choices. This is why I founded Addicts NOT Anonymous.

It is my intention, with Addicts NOT Anonymous, to build a support network based on tolerance, acceptance and understanding around shared experiences, rather than a rigid, inflexible program of rituals, traditions and secrecy. 

If you would like to get involved with Addicts NOT Anonymous, no matter if you would like to help build the planned addictsnotanonymous.org website, help with the projected forum and possible chat-room, by writing articles and or stories, or by helping with the always much needed funding, please contact me at tomretterbush@gmail.com.

I am not sure how it will play out, but I have witnessed that people who have shared experiences with great emotional impact tend to bond over them, and stick together in a natural support network.

What are your views regarding the pros and cons to breaking anonymity? Should AA, NA and the other 12 Step Programs drop their Anonymous? Or should new non-anonymous groups, like Addicts NOT Anonymous form to co-exist with the traditional groups? Let Addicts NOT Anonymous readers know how you feel and what you think with a comment, bellow.

Written By: Tom Retterbush

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