For many people in long-term recovery, speaking out about their recovery is an important ingredient in maintaining their sobriety and living a life in recovery.  Speaking out in the community, in your church or in your workplace in support of programs, funding and research for education, prevention, treatment and recovery is an important responsibility for individuals and families in recovery.

In addition, being an advocate at national, state and local levels of government, in support of equal treatment and elimination of discrimination in housing, transportation, education, employment and health care, will help create more opportunities for others to get help.

Being an advocate, while honoring the anonymity of 12-step programs is essential.  Along the way, some people have been concerned about their ability to speak out without violating the traditions.  But, as discussed in Advocacy With Anonymity, millions of people have found the way to be able to balance their desire to help others, speak and protect anonymity.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) co-founder, Bill Wilson, in a 1958 Grapevine article, wrote, “Then came Marty Mann.  As a recovered alcoholic, she knew public attitudes had to be changed, that people had to know that alcoholism was a disease and alcoholics could be helped.  She developed a plan to conduct a vigorous program of public education. . . She brought her plan to me.  I was enthusiastic. . .“

In an attempt to support those who choose to speak out, NCADD co-created and co-published Advocacy With Anonymity, a pamphlet outlining ways that individual and family members in the recovering community can be vocal, public voices!

“Every one of us who has learned anything about alcoholism and drug dependence can perform an invaluable service merely by passing on our information as widely as possible; bringing the subject of alcoholism and drug dependence up as a matter of general interest;  talking about it far and wide.  We can thus break forever the ancient and outdated taboo on alcoholism and drug dependence.”

- Marty Mann
Founder NCADD