Posted by scratchpad on April 5, 2007, at 22:36:15
I wonder, since the issue of addiction is gaining more understanding and acceptance in this world, just how smart it is to remain Anonymous. Does this keep the addicted population in recovery under cover, and so perpetuate the shame that can still be felt?
I guess that as I've become more comfortable with the public face of one label (= bipolar and GAD), that the shame and guilt-ridden label of another label (an alcoholic) has nowhere near the same public understanding and compassion. If anything, lately, going into rehab has become synonymous with apologizing for making hurtful public statements or exhibiting unacceptable behaviour (like Mel Gibson and Britney Spears). As if to say, "I'm not REALLY an *sshole or insensitive; I'm just an addict." Going into rehab doesn't make the amends for their actions.... I'm going off on my own tangent here.
I personally hope that the Anonymous model quickly becomes outdated and is replaced by "Addicts in Recovery." I know that my experience with the AA organization, in several states, and many cities, is that it was NOT a guarantee of anonymity; and to expect that from the programme was a foolish thing to do. I was "outed" everywhere - from the grocery store, to the movies, to the office where we worked. I mean, what's the point of that? Add a whopping case of Generalized Anxiety disorder, and you end up with someone like me: I won't go to meetings any more.
Scratchpad
poster:scratchpad
thread:747382
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20070101/msgs/747382.html