Tradition 11 · November 7

Two Ways to Break It

Daily Traditions · November 7

Before the Tradition

Most of what people believe about this Tradition is one half of what Dr. Bob actually said. Warren C. recalled him laying it out complete (Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers): "He [Dr. Bob] said there were two ways to break the anonymity Tradition: (1) by giving your name at the public level of press or radio; (2) by being so anonymous that you can't be reached by other drunks." Two ways. The second one is never quoted, and it is the one most groups are guilty of. Dr. Bob's own conduct followed the same line in both directions. He would not have his name in a newspaper — but when Akron members wanted to speak to Rotary and Kiwanis clubs in the 1940s, he approved it, and Joe P. remembered why: "he didn't think we would get anyplace if people didn't know we belonged to A.A. He had the firm conviction that you should let yourself be known as an A.A. member in the community, and he was always sure to tell you about it every time you met him." Every time you met him. He worried people would take the hiding half and stop there.

Sit with

Dr. Bob said you break this Tradition by being unreachable just as surely as by being in the papers, and he repeated the second half every time he saw you. Which half have I been quietly comfortable with?

Grounded in: Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers (Warren C. and Joe P. recalling Dr. Bob).

Tradition 11

"Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films."

Read the Long Form (pp. 563–566). The short form on pp. 561–562 is the one everybody quotes — but the Long Form is where the Traditions actually say what they mean. Tradition 3's "no other affiliation" clause, for instance, exists only in the Long Form. That single clause is why no treatment centre can own an A.A. group. Most of what circulates online skips it.

And a distinction worth keeping straight: the Traditions are governance, not theology. They bind A.A. groups and the Fellowship — not individuals, and not outside businesses. They were adopted in 1950 to keep A.A. from being owned or co-opted. They are not a rulebook for your personal life.

What the Traditions actually say → The Long Form, p. 563 → Search the Big Book → Every day this month →

Ask Recovery Einstein about Tradition 11 → Get the app →

← November 6Bill the Broker Tradition 11All of November November 8 →Too Quiet to Be Found

Daily Traditions is an independent educational resource from Recovery Starts — not official A.A. literature, not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, and not medical advice. The Twelve Traditions are the property of A.A. Page references are to Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), 4th Edition: short form 561–562, long form 563–566. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).