why at an alcoholics anonymous do they start by saying
"hi im bill and im an alcoholic"
or whatever their name is.
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2007-02-28 22:11:20 · 13 answers · asked by Gary F 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
you would no longer be anonymous
2007-02-28 22:15:45 · update #1
The first of the twelve steps is:
"We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable."
By standing up and saying that we are an alcoholic, we are admitting that we are powerless over alcohol.
No one has to stand up, it is choice - no one will pressurise you in to sharing, some people wait years before they decide to share. You can use any name you want - anonymity is a very important tradition of AA, and you can use a false name if you feel more comfortable.
Also, when living with an illness that isn't understood or accepted by many people, it can be extremely liberating to say "I'm an alcoholic" and have people welcome you and accept you.
I'm Number 8, and I'm an alcoholic.
About anonymity - everyone at AA is there for the same reason, so you have no reason to be ashamed if you meet someone you know. Also, it is a rule that you never EVER talk about anything to do with AA outside of the meeting - you must NEVER tell anyone that anyone else is a member. AA feels like a family, I've never met anyone who is any less than a brother or a sister to me.
2007-02-28 22:15:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
To introduce themselves and to admit by saying out loud that they are in fact an alcoholic.
You would be surprised the amount of alcoholics who can not actually say these words....untill they realise they really want help
2007-02-28 23:24:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think they say this all the time because based on the phylosophy of the AA the first step is to admit that you have a problem with alcohol and that you are an alcoholic
2007-02-28 22:14:18 · answer #3 · answered by VeronicaB 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The first step to healing is admitting to your addiction! It is completely anonymous because it's not revealed outside the group.
2007-02-28 22:17:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To let everyone there know who is speaking by stating their christian name and to remind themselves that they are an alcoholic trying to be cured.
2007-02-28 22:15:51 · answer #5 · answered by BARROWMAN 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i beleive the first step is admitting you are an alcoholic and then of course u gotta tell people your name
2007-02-28 22:14:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its a sign of recognition that they have a problem, its the first of 12 steps they take to recovery.
2007-02-28 22:14:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
because the first step to your recovery is actually admitting you are an alcoholic!
2007-02-28 22:14:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's because they have to recognise that they themselves are an alcoholic and admit it to themselves and others.
2007-03-01 01:56:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the saying goes,
"once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic"
"once a druggie, always a druggie"
GET IT?
2007-02-28 22:14:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋