I just wanted to get an opinion from some people... does anyone tell the people they work with or go to school with that they are a recovering addict? Or do you guys think that is something better kept to yourselves?
I have always maintained my anonymity outside of the fellowship - at work, school, and even with friends who are not in recovery. I just feel more comfortable that way. I've never had a good reason to talk about it with anyone and have had concerns that it might change the way people think of me or behave towards me.
As I interact with people who are not in recovery, I want to have the opportunity to make my own impression. I do not want them to have preconceived ideas about me because of what they may have heard somewhere or seen in a movie about addiction and recovery. I just want them to see me. Since one of my goals is to be a productive, functioning member of society, I feel that protecting my anonymity helps me to do that.
PS - I once had my anonymity broken by someone else and lost a job because of it. That was not helpful!
I'm going to share my one experience with something like this, i was at the dentists office once and the dentist's assistance was talking with me and she ended up telling me that she had 9 months clean off drugs, then she proceeded to tell me to open up so she could give me a shot in my gum! lol. I kind of laugh about it now, and even though it might have been better for her to keep that to herself, in a way maybe God wanted her to tell me that that day because at the time i was still full throttle in my addiction and it was just another small seed of NA hope planted. Maybe she could tell. But if I wasn't an addict it might have made me think less of her, i don't know. I think my policy is just going to be on a 'need to know' basis. This is very personal stuff, and while we become comfortable talking about, and celebrating it amongst ourselves in meetings, the outside world may not feel the same
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We are not human beings learning to become spiritual, we are spiritual beings learning to become human.
I agree with Keli and Blithe, good words. I have never told anyone that I am a recovering drug addict unless I have been asked straight out. I will not lie so if I am questioned where I cannot divert the conversation, only then will I admit my addiction to people outside NA except my family members. I have found that many people even in AA cannot understand what we have been through and where we are going. We are a special group with our own drives, problems and solutions. I thank God for this NA group every day.
kenh
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God is the only one you can depend on in recovery.
I have to agree. My anonymity is mine, though I have chosen to share it with a select few very close outside friends during my recovery. Part of it is because of the reaction I may get from friends, employers, and such. Yet another part is, I have bad days too and addicts/NA sometimes get "clumped together" as a whole. Therefore, in my opinion it would not be right for me to give those around me a screwed up impression of "NA as a whole". I share NA with those that need NA without hesitance. I work at a hospital and will go in a detoxing patients room, close the door and let them know a minor portion of where I was, what happened, and where I am now if possible. I never know if it helps them, but it sure helps me remember where I came from, and gives me that "helping feeling".
