BellaOnline Forums Family 12 Step Recovery Anonymity

I started to think about this after I had writen the review of BROKEN by William Cope Moyers. Do you feel the need to remain anonymous in your recovery? Why? For whom? I don't believe there is a wrong answer. I am not anonymous for me but for my family who might be "judged" in a real world. Sometimes that is quite annoying. I am who I am! I am very interested in your responses. Please comment!

I am at a point in my recovery that I dont feel the need to be anonymous any more. I am more than interested in sharing what Ive been thru on my journey to recovery. I am also very much interested in how others have handled their recovery! Please share!

Thanks, Sierra. I have decided not to post any new forum for a few days because I would really love if some of you would add to this whole "anonymity" question. Maybe some of you have had bad experiences by not being anonymous. Please share. Remember there isn't a wrong answer but whatever you can write might be very helpful to that newcomer who is still in fear and wrestling with their powerlessness! Blessings to all.

When I first got clean and sober, I hated everything and everyone including myself. I didnt want to see anyone but my sponser,{who is now my husband}. I felt so unexceptable that I rarely left the house. That was 2yrs ago. I devoted that 2yrs to recreating myself, and I have just recently started to feel strong enough to relate to the world. I can certainly understand why people new to recovery want to remain anonymous. Its because of those feelings of being un-acceptable. Recovery is a commitment that one makes to themselves and their higher power, then to their sponser. Every Day! This daily commitment is a must! As always, Sierra69

I believe that addiction, no matter what its too, is truly a gift from Hell. It is impartial, and always leads to Jails, Institutions, and Death. The desire to change must be stronger than the desire to use. This is why a daily commitment to staying clean and sober is so important. If sincere, it will give you the strength to overcome Hell.

Thanks again, Sierra. I know there are more recovering women out there than you & me, wouldn't you think? Anyway, I'm still waiting to here what some of you think about anonymity. How does it work in your recovery? If you decide not to remain anonymous, who do you decide to tell and why?

Tomorrow we are having dinner with folks we have not seen for a number of years. They only know me as a party girl so the evening should be interesting. They will ask why I'm not drinking. My husband and the woman worked together for many years and have many of the same business associates. Her husband can be a gossip. My recovery could be big news to him. I'm not sure if I should say anything or not. I do have to remember that this isn't all about me and my husband may not want them to know. Don't know yet what I will do? Based on the info I have given you, what would you do?

I would tell them, if they ask, Im not drinking any more and let it go at that. If they are not close freinds, your recovery is none of their business. If they are not coming to your home and your husband would rather avoid the issue stay home. If you must be there change the conversation subject as necessary to avoid the issue, and keep to the business at hand.

"My husband and the woman worked together for many years"

I take it they don't know he is "recovered" either?

Dont say anything you dont want the rest of the world to know. You did not indicate the nature of the visit so I am a little unsure of what to say!