Fixing the Drunk - We forgot what we were...
From:
THE WASHINGTONIAN MOVEMENT By Milton A. Maxwell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology, State College of Washington
Pullman, Washington
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF STUDIES ON ALCOHOL, VOL. 11, 410-452, 1950
Anonymity A comparison with the Washingtonian experience underscores the sheer survival value of the principle of anonymity in Alcoholics Anonymous. At the height of his popularity, John B. Gough either “slipped” or was tricked by his enemies into a drunken relapse. At any rate, the opponents of the Washingtonian movement seized upon this lapse with glee and made the most of it to hurt Gough and the movement. This must have happened frequently to less widely known but nevertheless publicly known Washingtonians. Public confidence in the movement was impaired. Anonymity protects the reputation of A.A. from public criticism not only of “slips” but also of failures, internal tensions, and all deviant behaviour. Equally important, anonymity keeps the groups from exploiting prominent names for the sake of group prestige; and it keeps individual members from exploiting their A.A. connection for personal prestige or fame. This encourages humility and the placing of principles above personalities. Such behaviour not only generates outside admiration of A.A. but has therapeutic value for the individual members. There are further therapeutic values in anonymity: it makes it easier for alcoholics to approach A.A., and it relaxes the new member. It encourages honest catharsis and utter frankness. It protects the new member from the critical eyes of certain acquaintances while he experiments with this new way of life, for fumbling and failure will be hidden.
Assistant Professor of Sociology, State College of Washington
Pullman, Washington
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF STUDIES ON ALCOHOL, VOL. 11, 410-452, 1950
Anonymity A comparison with the Washingtonian experience underscores the sheer survival value of the principle of anonymity in Alcoholics Anonymous. At the height of his popularity, John B. Gough either “slipped” or was tricked by his enemies into a drunken relapse. At any rate, the opponents of the Washingtonian movement seized upon this lapse with glee and made the most of it to hurt Gough and the movement. This must have happened frequently to less widely known but nevertheless publicly known Washingtonians. Public confidence in the movement was impaired. Anonymity protects the reputation of A.A. from public criticism not only of “slips” but also of failures, internal tensions, and all deviant behaviour. Equally important, anonymity keeps the groups from exploiting prominent names for the sake of group prestige; and it keeps individual members from exploiting their A.A. connection for personal prestige or fame. This encourages humility and the placing of principles above personalities. Such behaviour not only generates outside admiration of A.A. but has therapeutic value for the individual members. There are further therapeutic values in anonymity: it makes it easier for alcoholics to approach A.A., and it relaxes the new member. It encourages honest catharsis and utter frankness. It protects the new member from the critical eyes of certain acquaintances while he experiments with this new way of life, for fumbling and failure will be hidden.
The Anonymity Principle enables AA's
Recovery Program
and is the foundation of
The Twelve Traditions
(A) In the light of our present-day knowledge, A.A. has a sounder program of recovery than the Washingtonians achieved.
(B) A.A. has avoided many of the organizational hazards which plagued the Washingtonian societies. The success and growth of A.A. during more than a decade of public life, its present vigour and its present unity underscore these statements and augur well for the future. In the writer’s judgment, based on a systematic study26 of A.A., there is no inherent reason why A.A. should not enjoy an indefinitely continued existence. How long an existence will depend upon how well the leaders and members continue to follow the present program and principles - that is, how actively A.A. members will continue to reach out to other alcoholics; how thoroughly the remainder of the A.A. program will continue to be practiced, particularly the steps dealing with catharsis and the spiritual aspects; and, how closely all groups will be guided by the present traditions.
26. Maxwell, M.A. Social Factors in the Alcoholics Anonymous Program. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Texas, 1949.
THE WASHINGTONIAN MOVEMENT By Milton A. Maxwell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology, State College of Washington
Pullman, Washington
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF STUDIES ON ALCOHOL, VOL. 11, 410-452, 1950
Recovery Program
and is the foundation of
The Twelve Traditions
(A) In the light of our present-day knowledge, A.A. has a sounder program of recovery than the Washingtonians achieved.
(B) A.A. has avoided many of the organizational hazards which plagued the Washingtonian societies. The success and growth of A.A. during more than a decade of public life, its present vigour and its present unity underscore these statements and augur well for the future. In the writer’s judgment, based on a systematic study26 of A.A., there is no inherent reason why A.A. should not enjoy an indefinitely continued existence. How long an existence will depend upon how well the leaders and members continue to follow the present program and principles - that is, how actively A.A. members will continue to reach out to other alcoholics; how thoroughly the remainder of the A.A. program will continue to be practiced, particularly the steps dealing with catharsis and the spiritual aspects; and, how closely all groups will be guided by the present traditions.
26. Maxwell, M.A. Social Factors in the Alcoholics Anonymous Program. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Texas, 1949.
THE WASHINGTONIAN MOVEMENT By Milton A. Maxwell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology, State College of Washington
Pullman, Washington
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF STUDIES ON ALCOHOL, VOL. 11, 410-452, 1950
