Alcoholics Anonymous?

Question

Why is it caled alcoholics anonymous when the first thing you do is say "Hi I'm... and I'm an alcoholic" and then the first step is telling all your friends and family, what's anonymous about that?

Answer 1

Paulie asked the same question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_5wJscOA2w



Alcoholics Anonymous likes anonymity because of people like Lindsay Lohan, Robert Downey, Jr and the like who keep announcing how wonderful the program is and failing.

Answer 2

Because you don't have to really be an alcoholic to be a member, and it isn't really anonymous. Lots of folks get their names in the local paper a short time before the judge tells them they are AA members if they want to stay out of jail.

Answer 3

This is hunch. Before 24/7 Public Service Announcements; it becoming disease; famous people speaking out; Alcoholism had very negative image so name most likely was way to say we're not doing to broadcast your name.

Answer 4

In meetings (I'm a long time member), only first names are given. No last names are used. I have seen some older members give their last names but that is rare and technically against the "traditions" of AA.

Anonymity applies to AA. A person's choice to tell family and friends is a personal one. Of course I told my family and friends. They all had a right to know.

You would have to be a member to really understand what it's all about. I thank AA for the continued support of the last 15 1/2 years and for helping to keep me sober. I no longer keep my alcoholism a secret. To be honest, I never really did. I don't tell people who don't need to know but people who are close to me are aware of it.

EMT

Answer 5

Because you really don't have to say your name.
When I read about their history or their start for a school project once, they started anonymously. No one told their names.