Whether an individual in recovery has a 12 Step orientation or any other, recovery advocacy is important. My interpretation is that the film seeks to dispute the view held by some with a 12 Step orientation, that as citizens and individuals, they can't and/or shouldn't be engaged civically when it concerns substance use disorders. My perspective is that the film seeks to correct a misapprehension about the 12 Step Organization, Traditions 10 and 11. These are the Traditions concerned with personal disclosure of organizational affiliation where it concerns "outside issues" and "personal anonymity".
The 12 Step prohibition relative to "no opinion on outside issues" (Tradition 10) is at the organization affiliation level, not at the personal level. Further, the admonition for "personal anonymity" (Tradition 11) is to dissuade the individual from disclosing their affiliation with one of the anonymous organizations at the level of "press, radio or film". At the organizational level there is good reason for this caution. William White in his book "Slaying the Dragon: The History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery in America" does an excellent job documenting how expressions of organizational opinion and personal ambition catastrophically distracted early efforts to help individuals struggling with alcohol problems.
Bill Wilson in his 1969 testimony before Congress provides the model for public advocacy. In his introduction he states, "Because of my appearance here as an AA member, I have to limit myself pretty much to statements about AA. But you must remember that as time passes in these hearings a great many AA's will be testifying as citizens, and they will be far more free to express opinions on the general field and their activities in it than I am".
It is my view that a narrow interpretation, by some, of these "Traditions" has had a chilling effect on civic engagement for many individuals with a personal history of substance use and recovery. Additionally, I don't believe that was the intention of the founders of the Anonymous organizations. Consequently, this has left a hole where others, though well intended, speak to fill the gap for individuals in recovery and an opportunity for the media to only tell the story of celebrities that struggle in the public eye. I am a person in long-term recovery. That means that I haven't had a drink or used a drug that wasn't appropriately prescribed since March 16, 1980 and I vote.
I congratulate Mr. William's, a first time director, for having the courage to put a light on a subject that, in so many ways, has been in the shadows for too long. He has done an excellent job. I hope to see more from him.
The 12 Step prohibition relative to "no opinion on outside issues" (Tradition 10) is at the organization affiliation level, not at the personal level. Further, the admonition for "personal anonymity" (Tradition 11) is to dissuade the individual from disclosing their affiliation with one of the anonymous organizations at the level of "press, radio or film". At the organizational level there is good reason for this caution. William White in his book "Slaying the Dragon: The History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery in America" does an excellent job documenting how expressions of organizational opinion and personal ambition catastrophically distracted early efforts to help individuals struggling with alcohol problems.
Bill Wilson in his 1969 testimony before Congress provides the model for public advocacy. In his introduction he states, "Because of my appearance here as an AA member, I have to limit myself pretty much to statements about AA. But you must remember that as time passes in these hearings a great many AA's will be testifying as citizens, and they will be far more free to express opinions on the general field and their activities in it than I am".
It is my view that a narrow interpretation, by some, of these "Traditions" has had a chilling effect on civic engagement for many individuals with a personal history of substance use and recovery. Additionally, I don't believe that was the intention of the founders of the Anonymous organizations. Consequently, this has left a hole where others, though well intended, speak to fill the gap for individuals in recovery and an opportunity for the media to only tell the story of celebrities that struggle in the public eye. I am a person in long-term recovery. That means that I haven't had a drink or used a drug that wasn't appropriately prescribed since March 16, 1980 and I vote.
I congratulate Mr. William's, a first time director, for having the courage to put a light on a subject that, in so many ways, has been in the shadows for too long. He has done an excellent job. I hope to see more from him.