I love this post! I understand the value of anonymity. I had to really explore what that means to me when I started my newsletter. One of my topics is my 12 step recovery from eating disorders. I never name my program, on the advice of people who have more time in recovery. I'm not willing to be completely anonymous, because my writing about my experience can give other people hope. Some have reached out to me privately, and I share more openly. I love being able to say to my readers that recovery is possible. What a gift. Thanks for being here.
Congratulations on 8 and today, especially! I appreciate your willingness to share. I don’t believe it’s ego. It can be self-serving and help countless others (me, for one). Staying sober is ego-based in a way but the ratio of self-help to helping others is 1:limitless and exponentially so, whatever the approach. Thank you!
Anonymity has it’s place, primarily in newcomers who are prone to slipping. I believe it is overrated for those who have been sober for a long time as we are proof that it works.
I wrote an essay called “Is There A God” some years ago for my children and grandchildren. It was written on one of my anniversaries as I reflected on all the good things in my life that I had written off as coincidental at the time but realized later that God was in charge. It’s important to me that they realize that there is life after sobriety.
I also have spoken publicly at schools, colleges, and other events to spread the word. Most recently, I’ve been active with a recovery group called RAP that reaches out to addicts of all types and tries to meet their needs. They had me speak recently after the death of my drug addicted son. I had no problem telling them that my wife and I were clean and sober. If you’re interested, the speech can be seen at the link below.
I’m grateful you turn your sobriety into content. You carry the message, and it’s helped come back to the Steps. I don’t think it is a question of morality. You’ve given me hope in your hopelessness.
Yeah, I get it. But traditions state anonymity at the level of press, radio or television. The thought behind that was not to let one person represent the fellowship, because people are fallible and it could as easily keep someone from trying as it could invite someone in.
I was never secretive about my using, and it's been the same about my sobriety, mostly on a conversational level, because my before is so drastically different from my now. The upside is a handful of folks have reached out and said, "So you don't drink, at all?" followed by a how did you do that. It's been a privilege to introduce someone to what really helped me be the person I am today. That said, I rarely, if ever say AA in any of my public facing writing, but stick to the generic 12-step recovery euphemism.
Don't stop. Voices are needed. We need to see ourselves reflected in the media. Remember when there were no Black TV characters? Or the gay ones were few and far between and always over the top? And Jews, Irish, Italians were all a stereotype? Seeing yourself validates. Don't stop. Someone out there needs to hear you today.
I love this post! I understand the value of anonymity. I had to really explore what that means to me when I started my newsletter. One of my topics is my 12 step recovery from eating disorders. I never name my program, on the advice of people who have more time in recovery. I'm not willing to be completely anonymous, because my writing about my experience can give other people hope. Some have reached out to me privately, and I share more openly. I love being able to say to my readers that recovery is possible. What a gift. Thanks for being here.
Super congrats on 8 years!! Thank you for sharing your story through all the highs and lows, you're a true inspiration!
Congratulations on 8 and today, especially! I appreciate your willingness to share. I don’t believe it’s ego. It can be self-serving and help countless others (me, for one). Staying sober is ego-based in a way but the ratio of self-help to helping others is 1:limitless and exponentially so, whatever the approach. Thank you!
Congratulations on your 8 years!
Anonymity has it’s place, primarily in newcomers who are prone to slipping. I believe it is overrated for those who have been sober for a long time as we are proof that it works.
I wrote an essay called “Is There A God” some years ago for my children and grandchildren. It was written on one of my anniversaries as I reflected on all the good things in my life that I had written off as coincidental at the time but realized later that God was in charge. It’s important to me that they realize that there is life after sobriety.
I also have spoken publicly at schools, colleges, and other events to spread the word. Most recently, I’ve been active with a recovery group called RAP that reaches out to addicts of all types and tries to meet their needs. They had me speak recently after the death of my drug addicted son. I had no problem telling them that my wife and I were clean and sober. If you’re interested, the speech can be seen at the link below.
https://rumble.com/v3kzrsm-overdose-awareness.html
Great piece, AJ.
Maybe we can come through all that’s coming with a commitment to just be being in relationship with others.
I’m grateful you turn your sobriety into content. You carry the message, and it’s helped come back to the Steps. I don’t think it is a question of morality. You’ve given me hope in your hopelessness.
Congratulations on eight years! Ditto on this: "But for me, being publicly sober has enhanced my ability to be of service..."
Yeah, I get it. But traditions state anonymity at the level of press, radio or television. The thought behind that was not to let one person represent the fellowship, because people are fallible and it could as easily keep someone from trying as it could invite someone in.
I was never secretive about my using, and it's been the same about my sobriety, mostly on a conversational level, because my before is so drastically different from my now. The upside is a handful of folks have reached out and said, "So you don't drink, at all?" followed by a how did you do that. It's been a privilege to introduce someone to what really helped me be the person I am today. That said, I rarely, if ever say AA in any of my public facing writing, but stick to the generic 12-step recovery euphemism.
Don't stop. Voices are needed. We need to see ourselves reflected in the media. Remember when there were no Black TV characters? Or the gay ones were few and far between and always over the top? And Jews, Irish, Italians were all a stereotype? Seeing yourself validates. Don't stop. Someone out there needs to hear you today.
Congratulations, and as always thank you for sharing.
Congratulations, AJ. I am grateful for you and TSB.
Thank you AJ and congratulations on 8 years of sobriety! You've made the small bow a beautiful place
Congratulations on 8!!
A.J., thanks for this one, a real gem! Great read and reflection on my Monday morning 🙏✌
Congratulations!!
Happy birthday, A.J. Nice essay, thanks!