Al-Anon
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Anonymity in Al-Anon

The principle of anonymity is a safeguard for the Al-Anon fellowship. This means that all Al-Anon and Alateen members are anonymous within the fellowship as well as at the level of press, radio, and TV. It is the choice of the Al-Anon and Alateen member as to how anonymous they wish to be with friends, co-workers, community professionals and others. This assures that no one will use Al-Anon for power, profit, or prestige.

Anonymity gives members and potential members confidence that their identity will not be revealed within Al-Anon. When speaking as Al-Anon/Alateen members at the level of press, radio, TV or films, members only use first names or pseudonyms. Faces should not be recognizable in photographs for publication in newspapers or magazines.

This provides a sense of security in the knowledge that nothing seen or heard in the meetings will be revealed. We can express ourselves among our Al-Anon/Alateen friends because we can be certain that what we share will be kept confidential.

Each member has the right to decide about their personal anonymity within the fellowship. We meet and share as equals regardless of social, educational, or financial position. Anonymity provides the freedom and the security that each member deserves in Al-Anon/Alateen.

Al-Anon's Eleventh Tradition:

Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, TV and films. We need guard with special care the anonymity of all AA members.

Al-Anon's Twelfth Tradition:

Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities. 

At the personal level, the traditions of anonymity provide an environment of trust, confidence and equality to all Al-Anon and Alateen members. 

At the public level, Al-Anon respectfully asks members of the media not to identify any AA, Al-Anon, or Alateen speaker or member by full name or picture in published or broadcast reports of our meetings. The assurance of anonymity is essential to our efforts to help other families and friends of alcoholics, and our Tradition of Anonymity reminds us that Al-Anon and Alateen principles come before personalities.

About Anonymity on the internet:

Please keep in mind that anonymity in an online environment cannot be guaranteed with the same degree of certainty as when members meet face to face. To ensure your anonymity, choose an email address that does not disclose personal information such as a full name.

Reprinted with Permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc, Virginia Beach, VA