Apr 19, 2013 | By Tim Stoddart
AA and Social Media: The Challenges and Questions of Anonymity
Addiction & Recovery News
AA and Social Media: Can they Co-Exist?
Alcoholics Anonymous. Narcotics Anonymous. When a fellowship includes the word “anonymous” in the title, it’s pretty evident that anonymity is a big deal. In fact, AA considers anonymity to be the “spiritual foundation of all our Traditions.” The Internet, however, has presented many challenges to anonymity in AA. More specifically, social media has lead to many questions regarding the importance and expectations of anonymity. Is it possible to keep up with social media and still stay in line with the Traditions? Is it even logical to attempt, or does it go against the very nature of “social” media itself?
AA’s Position on Social Media
The General Service Conference (GSO) of AA compiles Guidelines for its members. Because the “only requirement” of AA is the desire to stop drinking, AA Guidelines are just suggestions and come from the shared experiences of members. There are AA Guidelines regarding the Internet, and social media is specifically addressed. According to the Eleventh Tradition of AA, “names and pictures of AA members ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publically printed. The Guidelines state that, “As long as individuals do not identify themselves as AA members, there is no conflict of interest.” Therefore, AA suggests that people do not identify themselves as members of AA on any social networking sites, or anywhere else online that isn’t a password-protected forum for AA members only.
Identifying Yourself as an AA Member
There are many people online who publicly identify themselves as AA members, and the GSO has received many complaints regarding this type of conduct. When you identify yourself as a member of AA, you could be inadvertently identifying someone else. The only way to remain 100 percent anonymous is to never mention your affiliation with AA on social media. People who do publicly identify themselves via social media undoubtedly have no bad intentions, Many think that it’s okay to identify yourself, as long as you don’t explicitly identify anyone else. This raises the question of anonymity and AA in modern society: Does the expectation of anonymity still apply in the same way, or is it acceptable if a member chooses to identify themselves? As society changes, should the principles of AA be adapted to accommodate a more “social” culture? Is it possible or reasonable to avoid this?
AA Groups and Jargon
While some people think it’s okay to identify yourself, and some people think it’s never okay, there are also people who think it is okay only in certain situations. For example, are closed or private groups on social media okay? For example, if you create a Facebook group for AA members, is it okay and respecting anonymity if it is private? Is anything really “private” on the Internet? The AA Guidelines also advise against posting any comments or status updates that is “‘AA jargon.’” Some people think that posting “AA jargon” is okay as long as the member doesn’t explicitly identify themselves as an AA member. Others think that threatens anonymity. What are your thoughts on anonymity and social media? How do you think people in AA should or should not address their membership on the Internet?
Dawn M.
10 years ago
This is such a controversial subject. Of course, there was no such thing as social media when the traditions were developed, and alcoholism was SUCH a social stigma that anonymity was paramount. However, times change, and people are now commended for getting help instead of being ostracized. So. I don’t broadcast to the world that I am an AA member, but I do share and post things from “12-step” sites, including this one. I don’t hide that I am in recovery, because as my sponsor says, I may be the only copy of a Big Book someone will ever see. If people don’t know I’m in AA, they won’t know to ask me for help. Of course I wouldn’t “out” a fellow AA member, but for me personally, I don’t mind people knowing,
D anonymous
7 years ago
Not true film and radio at the time was every much a huge millions tuned into radio and film it is simple just don’t mention AA on Facebook it irritates the life out of me I even seen one person could they speak at there meeting. the 12 steps and 12 traditions are there to be protected not amended ego maniacs trying to change AA not on anominity is the spiritual foundation it’s the fellowships safe guard leave the traditions alone
Carlos
9 years ago
Is not just social media, way before social media people were violating their anonymity and that of others. AA/NA is virtually no longer anonymous and treatment facilities are at large to blame the lost anonymity. When a facility mandates that a person signs whether they have gone to a meeting or not. Anonymity is no longer so.
laurie
8 years ago
When someone on ex Facebook is showing themselves with the big book and then a copy of the 12 steps. Also when dates ,times and places where the meetings are going to be are posted , I think you have broken the anonymity of many who are your friends on fb and any who may go to the posted meeting. What if that person who is posting all this is a fool and or gets drunk… That’s not the big book we want potential members to read. We are dealing with life and death and I think people need to revisit what anonymity means!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ivan
7 years ago
As this topic is a matter of great controversy within our fellowship and due to the fact that I do indeed wish to help other alcoholics to acheive sobriety, I believe our 11th Tradition ought to be ammended to include “social media” . Why not ? The United States Constitution includes ammendments which gave African Americans and women the right to vote for example. I would suggest a more spiritual approach by the GSO to this agenda rather than a self will based one. This would , God willing …..eliminate the fears associated with change. Changing, modifying or updating the seemingly antiquated 11th Tradition may not cause people to cease and desist from compromising or violating anonymity altogether, but i believe may curtail it to a significant extent. Would Bill Wilson roll over in his grave if he knew this tradition were changed to accomodate modern technology in the name of preserving the spiritual foundation of anonymity ? Id think not Sometimes the most simple solution is the most often overlooked. Change the 11th Tradition to include the words “social media”. May God do for AA what it cant do for itself.
caroline phelps
7 years ago
i have my own story it is hard to fit in meetings when you take care of someone there are no morning meeitings in the elkin area i do need an outlet
Joe O
6 years ago
Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is *not* the same thing as “press, radio, TV and film”. Social Media does occasionally get mentioned by “press, radio, TV and film”, and yes, Social Media does seems to love that art times, and then Social Media also occasionally enjoys pretending to be some kind of modern-day press…
But if we look more closely, we can see the cacophony of today’s “fake news” originates from within the real “press, radio, TV and film” and not from Social Media.
We AAs/A.A.s need to thoughtfully remember “Rule 62” and not take ourselves so damned seriously that we end up turning fellow onliners into AA/A.A. outcasts simply because their meeting spaces happen to be at a Social Media — no “press, radio, TV or film” present — location.
Joe O
6 years ago
PS: Making our autonomous decisions based upon what we might hear from brick-and-mortar AA/A.A. makes about as much sense as sailors asking landlubbers to set the requirements for their dinghies!
Amy Goff Woodrome
4 years ago
I would love a social media AA metting and if you wouldn’t then by all meabs dont!!!
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