Anonymity in Al-Anon

Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our program. It provides a safe place for members to share. We use first names and last initials only. We do not talk about the people we see nor do we repeat what we hear at meetings. We guard the anonymity of all Al-Anon / Alateen and AA members.

Al-Anon is an anonymous fellowship. Everything that is said here, in the group meeting and member-to-member, must be held in confidence. Only in this way can we feel free to say what is in our minds and hearts, for this is how we help one another in Al-Anon.

—Taken from the Suggested Al-Anon/Alateen Welcome

Perhaps the single most important principle in Al-Anon is that concerning anonymity. Anonymity is our spiritual foundation because it is the basis of the trust that makes our program possible… Unless each of us is free to share as openly as we like without fear that our words will be repeated, none of us can safely use the resources available to us in Al-Anon… Although there are no rules in Al-Anon and no enforcers who will force us to protect one another's identities, we have to trust that our anonymity will be carefully guarded. We count on the ‘obedience to the unenforceable’ on which all our Traditions depend.

—pp. 121-122, How Al-Anon Works for Families and Friends of Alcoholics