Anonymity Last of the 12 Traditions in AA

Anonymity Last of the 12 Traditions in AA February 22, 2020 Getty Images More in Addiction Coping and Recovery Methods and Support Overcoming Addiction Personal Stories Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use A hallmark of 12-step recovery programs is the offer of anonymity to participants, but the principle goes much deeper than just not revealing last names. This is Tradition 12,    Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities. To keep the focus on principles rather than personalities, personal anonymity should be maintained at all levels of participation in 12-step fellowshipâ€"in meetings, in 12th step work, and even in sponsorship. Anonymity is maintained not so much for the protection of the individual as for the protection of the program. Reflections from those in a 12-step program provide a glimpse of the underlying principle of this tradition. No Human Power Maryann links the 12th Tradition to the words, No human power could have relieved us from our alcoholism. She notes that no guru can prevent you from taking the first drink. People in Alcoholics Anonymous need to avoid placing their sponsor or counselor on a pedestal, only to see the inevitable fall. This program is a we thing for many reasons. Deifying a person not only harms the followers but the followed. A Genuine Humility Chuck notes that the long form of the 12th Tradition says that anonymity reminds the member to practice a genuine humility.  When you  walk into a meeting, you leave what you are at the door and walk in as who you are.  This translates into practices of not using honorifics. A judge isnt Your Honor at a meeting. A priest isnt Father. All are equal, and all are just one drink away from being drunk. We practice this tradition for three reasons: so we can actually practice genuine humility, so we dont get too up ourselves (spoiled), and so that we can always keep our gratitude in mind, Chuck says. There is no rich man or poor man,  are all equals. How far you have gone with your education, or how successful you are in life has no bearing on what you can get from or  what you can contribute to the program. Mary notes, We are all honors graduates from the University of Hard Knocks, sitting shoulder to shoulder. Principles First Tradition 12 means that the principles of the 12-step program should be put first, not anyones personal opinion. Althea notes that it is tempting to deviate from the principles when someone you care about and respect is hurting. But in doing so, you let a little more of your principles slip away, and then the program loses a little more of its foundation. Thats why we need to have that unconditional love for the principlesâ€"so we may love each other unconditionally. That love comes from taking the risks of resting on the principles rather than giving in and playing God. We dont give them the chance to grow in the truth of AAs wisdom we allow them to create their own. It may appear to be helpful, but it is just as damaging and unloving to the individual as it is to AA on the whole. Carrying the Message By not using your last name, Lyn notes that the program isnt an anonymous individual program, but it is a we program. Rather than become the message, you are carrying  the message. Otherwise, your sobriety is at risk, and so is AA as a whole. How Alcoholics Anonymous Works