Skip to main content
NHAA Helpline
(800) 593-3330
Find a Meeting

AA & Anonymity

“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”

Anonymity at the Personal Level

At the personal level, anonymity provides protection for all members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard which is often of special importance to newcomers. We are not anonymous to each other, but we are anonymous to those outside of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Personal Anonymity

Anonymity at the Public Level

At the public level of press, radio, TV, film/video other public forms of the Internet and social media platforms, anonymity stresses the equality of all AA members. Anonymity at the public level is an important protection for our Fellowship, ensuring no one exploits their AA affiliation to achieve recognition, power, or personal gain.

Public Anonymity

Anonymity on Social Media

When using social media, AA members are responsible for their own anonymity and that of others. When we text or post something online, we should assume that we are publishing at the public level. When we break our anonymity in these forums, we may inadvertently break the anonymity of others.

Social Media Anonymity

The Spiritual Significance of Anonymity

In stressing the equality of all AA members — and unity in our common bond of recovery from alcoholism — anonymity serves as the spiritual foundation of the Fellowship. 

“One may say that anonymity is the spiritual base, the sure key to all the rest of our Traditions. It has come to stand for prudence and, most importantly, for self-effacement. True consideration for the newcomer if he desires to be nameless; vital protection against misuse of the name Alcoholics Anonymous at the public level; and to each of us a constant reminder that principles come before personal interest — such is the wide scope of this all-embracing principle. In it we see the cornerstone of our security as a movement; at a deeper spiritual level it points us to still greater self-renunciation.”
Copyright © (November, 1948) AA Grapevine, Inc. Reprinted with permission Bill W – Co-founder of AA