Alcoholics Anonymous and Anonymity

Alcoholics Anonymous and anonymity go hand in hand to protect the privacy of those seeking help. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous and is essential for ensuring that individuals feel safe in their recovery journey. It’s not just a tradition within our Fellowship, but a request to everyone — including family members, friends, community members, and professionals — to respect the anonymity of those in recovery.

For many alcoholics, the fear of being publicly identified can be a significant barrier to seeking help. By respecting anonymity, we help remove this obstacle and create a safe and supportive environment for everyone in AA. We kindly ask that no information is shared or disclosed that could identify an AA member—whether through names, photos, or unique personal details.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a self-supporting, non-professional organisation dedicated to helping people recover from alcoholism. By respecting anonymity, everyone can contribute to the well-being of alcoholics in and outside our Fellowship, allowing them to feel secure in their journey toward recovery.

Anonymity Statement

Anonymity is a core principle of Alcoholics Anonymous and a fundamental safeguard that protects the privacy of everyone in our Fellowship. It ensures that AA members can seek help without fear of being publicly identified. We ask that everyone—whether you are a friend, family member, or member of the community—honour this principle by refraining from identifying any individual as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous in any public or private context. This includes avoiding the use of full names, recognisable images, or personal details that could associate someone with AA.

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.

This tradition serves as a reminder that our Fellowship’s focus is on helping alcoholics, not on individuals’ identities. It allows members to share their stories openly in meetings and find support without fear of public exposure.

We appreciate your support in respecting the anonymity of Alcoholics Anonymous and helping to maintain a safe environment for those in recovery.

How You Can Support Anonymity in Alcoholics Anonymous

Help us protect the anonymity of all AA members and those seeking help. By maintaining privacy and respecting this vital tradition, you contribute to a safe and welcoming space for everyone in our Fellowship.

If you’d like to know more about how Alcoholics Anonymous can help individuals and organisations, please contact us here.