What to Expect
Anonymity is a core AA principle. Members are asked not to disclose who they see or what others share at meetings. It is a tradition of mutual trust, not a legal confidentiality guarantee like doctor-patient or attorney-client privilege.
Anonymity is one of AA's foundational principles. Members are asked to respect the privacy of others by not revealing who they see at meetings or what another person shares. Members commonly use first names only. A person's attendance, story, and membership are theirs to disclose, not someone else's. This helps newcomers attend without fear that their presence will be made public. It is important to understand that AA anonymity is a spiritual principle and a tradition of mutual trust. It is not the same as a legal confidentiality privilege. Still, AA members take anonymity seriously because it protects everyone in the room. If privacy is a concern, you are welcome to attend and simply listen. Find a meeting at /meetings/.