Why Is AA “Anonymous”?

Imagine walking into a room filled with unfamiliar faces, each one with their own struggles and stories of battling an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. The atmosphere may be warm, but at the same time somewhat reserved and definitely respectful. Introductions are by first name only, and personal details are shared with others only by those who choose to offer them. This is the world of Alcoholics Anonymous, or for short AA, where anonymity isn’t merely a guideline — it’s a core value.

But why does AA emphasize anonymity? Why is it so deeply embedded in its core values? Understanding the pros and cons of anonymity in AA’s philosophy may help you decide if this well-known option for stopping alcohol misuse feels like a good fit. A good place to start is at the beginning.

The Founding of AA

AA was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, by Bill Wilson, who came to be known as “Bill W.,” and Bob Smith, or “Dr. Bob.” A stockbroker and a surgeon respectively, they began their recovery only after meeting each other and subsequently recognizing the power of peer support. Prior to the recognition of alcohol use disorder as a disease in 1956, it was seen as a “bad habit” or “moral failing.” Even today, we continue to work towards destigmatizing alcohol use disorder (AUD) as we spread awareness and reframe it through the lens — and facts — of neuroscience. As individuals who struggled with AUD nearly a century ago, the founders of AA understood all too well the shame, fear, and guilt associated with the condition and decided that anonymity was a way to open the doors and help others.

When they developed the core values, or Twelve Traditions of AA, anonymity was written into two of them. The 11th Tradition states that AA aims to attract rather than promote, and the 12th Tradition states that anonymity serves as the spiritual foundation of AA. But exactly what does that mean?

What Does Anonymity Mean in AA?

Anonymity in AA includes individual and group guidelines. For an individual, it doesn’t mean that we’re not allowed to disclose that we’re a member of AA, but instead that we have the right to choose whether we want to disclose that we’re a member and to whom. That also goes for respecting the anonymity of other members, whether they’re acquaintances, public figures, or people we’re meeting for the first time. 

Public anonymity refers to the practice that AA members don’t refer to themselves as AA members using full names or full-face photos on publicly accessible content on the internet or in other media. This refers to social media platforms, websites, TV, film, newspapers, books, magazines, podcasts, speeches, presentations, and more. Members certainly may disclose their identity and speak as someone in recovery on public platforms, as long as their AA membership isn’t shared. Alternatively, members may speak as AA members if their names and faces aren’t revealed. Either way, members may share their knowledge and experiences before and during recovery without bringing in AA.

Why AA Is Anonymous

AA chooses to remain anonymous to protect individual members and the group as a whole. The founders of AA stressed the importance of equality of the members and unity in the fellowship. Here are five reasons AA stands firm in its choice to remain anonymous.

1. It leaves shame and fear at the front door.

AA’s rule of anonymity protects its members’ identities. Members are therefore free to share without fear of judgment or repercussions. Anonymity encourages open and honest communication, which is critical in coming to terms with our drinking habits and developing strategies to overcome them.

Anonymity may not only be beneficial for current members, but it can also encourage participation of new members who might be hesitant to participate due to shame or fear of judgment. The stigma surrounding AUD is often a major barrier for those struggling to seek help, which AA’s anonymity can eliminate.

2. It levels the playing field.

Rules to protect members’ identities also help promote equality among members — another core value of AA. The principle of equality unifies its members and serves as a reminder that AUD can affect anyone. 

In Alcoholics Anonymous, social status, income, fame, and other external factors don’t matter. Everyone is treated equally, and everyone gets a fair chance to work towards a healthier and happier life by quitting alcohol. This removes stigma and other barriers that may impact motivation or ability to access support.

3. There’s no room for twisting words. 

Members can tell their stories without sharing their identity. AA’s anonymity helps prevent misuse of members’ stories. Although hearing recovery stories can motivate others, everyone’s story is theirs to tell and not to be shared outside AA for any purpose, such as acquiring new members, gaining financial support, or promoting AA to the media. One of the Twelve Traditions of AA is to attract rather than promote. 

4. One bad apple won’t spoil the whole barrel.

Protecting members’ identities not only protects individuals but also AA’s reputation. While AA’s program may not work for everyone, it has worked for many people dealing with alcohol use disorder. So, imagine you’re thinking about going to a meeting just to see how you feel about it and then learning that a public figure you looked up to spoke poorly about the organization and their experience. The result: You might not go to the meeting based on that one person’s comments.

AA reports that, in the past, some members used their affiliation for personal gain through various business enterprises, jeopardizing AA’s reputation and dissuading potential members who might benefit from joining.

5. We’re there to work.

AA’s mission to stay anonymous as a group helps maintain the group’s focus on the core mission: recovery rather than personal gain or individual personalities. It makes the goal crystal clear: to recover from AUD and support others on the same journey. 

Media attention, positive or negative, can distract from AA’s primary purpose. Imagine attending AA every week to recover from AUD, but a  new Netflix documentary about AA has family and friends bombarding you with questions and comments. Or you’re perhaps finally seeing progress after attending AA meetings — until you stop going after reading media accounts about some member’s bad experience. 

As we can see, AA’s anonymity has many positives — but there can also be some negatives.

Potential Drawbacks of AA’s Anonymity

Anonymity can be something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can reduce stigma by protecting its members’ identities. On the other, it makes the organization seem a little ominous, leading to misperceptions. Over the years, anonymity has led some folks to perceive the organization as a kind of cult or secret society, although often they have just not understood the program.

With anonymity comes less public accountability. Some argue that anonymity fosters secrecy, which can promote unhealthy dynamics within a group. Think of the power of public accountability in our own community and how we value our ability to hold our town council accountable for proper management of utilities and finances. Transparency sets standards for integrity and, when necessary, it can drive positive change.

Although AA is anonymous, its purpose and teachings are clear. So, if we’re trying to determine whether or not it’s right for us, what should we expect when stepping into the world of AA?

What To Expect in AA

The core of AA is the support group meeting where members can listen and share their experiences and help each other navigate the Twelve Steps of the program. There are two types of meetings in AA: open and closed. Open meetings are for anyone interested in the program, and closed meetings are only for members who are struggling with alcohol misuse and are committed to quitting alcohol. Both open and closed meetings follow AA’s anonymity rules.

AA meetings may differ slightly but contain similar elements. They typically follow this structure:

• AA Preamble and opening remarks. The meetings usually start with the reading of the purpose of AA also known as the Preamble. Sometimes a moment of silence or reciting the Serenity Prayer will follow.
• Introduction. New members will be offered a chance to introduce themselves, but this isn’t mandatory. Due to AA’s anonymity values, only first names are used during meetings. 
• Readings. Following introductions, there may be readings from Alcoholics Anonymous, known as “The Big Book.”  Chapters such as “How It Works” or “More About Alcoholism” are commonly read and discussed. 
• Sharing sessions. After the readings, the chairperson may propose a topic for discussion, perhaps one of the Twelve Steps or challenges arising in our journey to quit drinking.
• Statement about anonymity. Closing the meeting, statements about AA’s anonymity and other values serve as reminders to members. 

After understanding what we can expect at an AA meeting and how it can be used to support our journey, we may find that it’s not a good fit for us. If so, there are other pathways to recovery we can explore that might better suit our needs

Exploring Other Options

AA may not be for everyone as we discuss in “Why 12 Step Programs Don’t Work For Everyone.” Fortunately, there are plenty of other recovery options we can explore.

• Support groups. Aside from AA, support groups include Moderation Management, SMART Recovery, LifeRing, and more. 
• Behavioral therapies. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), can help us understand our behaviors and work on changing them. 
• Psychological therapy. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help us identify the root causes of our drinking habits. 
• Mobile apps. Mobile apps like Reframe offer educational resources and support groups to guide us on our journey. 

While AA is a valuable support program for many, it’s worth exploring a range of options and tailoring the recovery journey to your unique needs.

With Greater Understanding

The anonymity of AA may be perplexing, especially in this day and age where almost everything (too much?) is shared online. But AA continues to stand firm on its core value of anonymity, providing its members with both community and privacy in their recovery. These are undeniable benefits, but there are also some drawbacks to anonymity. At the end of the day, AA’s program may work for some, but not for everyone. Fortunately, there are plenty of routes we can take on our journey toward a happier, healthier life!