MY
THOUGHTS ON TRADITION ELEVEN
Tradition
Eleven
"Our
public relations policy is based on attraction rather than
promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the
level of press, radio, and films."
When dealing with the media the
traditions of the 12 step of Alcoholics anonymous ask that
members maintain anonymity not so much for their protection but
for the good of the fellowship as a whole.
Tradition 11: Our public relations
policy is based on attraction rather than promotion we need
always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio
and films
When discussing their personal
recovery with the media members who are identified by their full
names such as the case of those who are already well known in the
media they should not also identify the specific name of their
12-step recovery group.
If members wish to discuss the
benefits of membership in a specific 12-step group such as
Alcoholics Anonymous like in a school or hospital they then
should not identify themselves except by first name only and the
fellowship they are recovering in
Many recovering members have the
attitude "When I was drinking, everybody knew I was the town
drunk and why should I hide my identity now that I am
recovering?"
The answer is for the good of the
fellowship the example is given of a famous athlete or television
personality a role model for youth who gets into recovery and
announces to the entire world that A.A. has saved his life what
happens if that person relapses? The kids say "Well, so much
for A.A.!"
Through my years in AA I have seen
what promotion has done to AA as a whole it has allowed outsiders
at times to try and change our message changes that insiders now
hear a different message than the original message
By trying to save the world we are not
adhering to our primary purpose one Alcoholic helping another
alcoholic for me this means if the person is dual addicted then
he should have the right to share all there experiences just like
the rest of us can
I think times we all seem to
forget that we are responsible for being the attractions by
changing our appearance how we communicate dress and conduct
ourselves in and out of the rooms we are the carriers of the
message not the mess
That's part of carrying the message
also to let people see the difference that this design for living
we were given has worked in our life seeing the four changes in
our lives mental emotional physical and spiritual they are
attracted by our example not any promotion
Alcoholics anonymous needs no
promotion this is a program for people who want it let's not let
others tell us what they think we are about let's just be ready
when the suffering alcoholic is ready to open the door and show
him what we are
Anonymity is what makes people feel
safe to speak what's in their hearts and on their minds. The fact
that it's based on attraction to me means people can see the
outward change of a recovering alcoholic due to that inward
change we make when following the steps
