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Many of us who have survived addiction owe our lives to others; in particular to the fellowship of peer-based support groups.  One of the sacred traditions of a leading such group is “anonymity”.  While this tradition has no doubt served its purpose well, it becomes problematic if its purpose is broadened beyond its intended scope.

Stories of recovery and of hope have attracted sufferers in many different contexts.  Our stories have power; power to bust through generations of stigma and stereotype by letting others know that recovery is possible, that this is an awful disease that affects good people and that there is no shame in survival. 

Nothing in these sacred traditions bars those of us who have survived this insidious disease from shouting our stories of recovery and hope to those who still suffer.  The inventors of peer-based support groups would have it no other way than to encourage us to speak out, so long as we are respectful of these time-honored traditions.