Breaking the Anonymity

I must confess, I never heard of “anonymity” until a couple of years ago.  And then it took me a few tries to learn to pronounce it….and please do not ask me to spell it.  I now understand that it is a very important word in the recovering community. 

The principle of anonymity, according to the brochure Advocacy With Anonymity, means that those attending certain recovery groups are directed not to talk about their recovery as it relates to compromising the principles of the recovery program.  These principles are meant to protect the recovering person from stigma and discrimination as he/she begins the journey.  Anonymity plays a crucial role in establishing personal humility, which is a “cornerstone of the spiritual foundation of recovery.”  Further, it keeps groups from becoming enmeshed in any public controversy that would divert them from their primary purpose of helping alcoholics and other drug dependent persons to become drug free.

However, while attending the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) Dignity Dinner, Dwight Vaughter, CEO of Shar House, encouraged those in attendance to break their own anonymity and share their recovery with “dignity.”  Mr. Vaughter was at the dinner to receive the Joseph Dahmen Award for “Reducing Stigma in the Workplace.”  He eloquently said that, "Those who are in recovery need to be open about their own journey so that others may know that success is possible.”  He was clear.  There is no reason to break the anonymity of the group one may be affiliated with.  The power is in the individual stories. 

Advocacy With Anonymity explains that those in recovery need to speak out because we are losing the war in regards to adequate funding for treatment.  Michigan has not seen an increase in public funding of treatment for 17 years, therefore, those needing treatment are put on long waiting lists which decreases, in some cases, their opportunity to recover.  Until recently, the recovering population has been invisible.  It has only been, most recently, that those in recovery have started to speak out, allowing others to see their strengths and capabilities.  This reduces stigma and discrimination and, hopefully, encourages increased funding for treatment.

I was moved by Mr. Vaughter’s message.  Breaking one’s personal anonymity will allow the movement to grow, broadening opportunities and acceptance. 

During the Dignity Dinner, Debbie Garrett, Chairperson of Greater Macomb Project Vox and Stephanie Lang, Student Assistance Coordinator at ChippewaValley Schools, received the Honorable Myron H. Wahls “Recovery is Possible” Awards.  Congratulations to Dwight, Debbie and Stephanie.  You are the trendsetters.  Others will follow.