Michael Hollywood gets it wrong (again). Unfortunately, this film was made by a person in recovery, and not someone from Hollywood who could claim ignorance. Yes, anonymity is misunderstood among fellowship members, especially newer folks, but completely breaking it and "coming out" is not the answer. The answer is to better understand the 12th tradition and why these practices were put into place.The traditions in general were hard fought for by the "early timers" of AA, and there was a lot of pain in discovering what was best to keep AA alive. Ego, pride and money driven ideas had to be squashed and the focus put on remaining humble (not scared or ashamed as the film would have you believe). Anonymity at the level of press/TV/movies is there to keep our egos down. It's also there to protect AA from getting black eyes from famous folks raving about being in recovery and then getting a DUI the next weekend.Anonymity is also there to prevent the person in recovery from taking credit for recovery. As someone who is recovering, I can say that I did not chose to go to a rehab because I thought it would be cool, or because I wanted to. It was a last choice. Family was pushing me into it and my job was in jeopardy. I did not want recovery but wanted to stop getting into trouble. If I keep my anonymity, I am less likely to be bragging about being in recovery. I do not hide it, but I do guard it and share it with only my closer friends. I do this with my political and religious views as well.I am usually of the "live and let live" vein, but this is so near and dear to my heart, I felt I had to put my 2 cents in somewhere. Anonymously of course."The Anonymous People" seems to be an ego driven project, with arguments that were not backed up correctly, and although "technically" no one has broken any traditions here, it's pretty obvious these folks are in 12 step programs. It's sad that someone would use AA to get better and then try to use it to go against some traditions that prove to work, by recruiting folks in AA to join his cause, whatever that is, I'm still not clear.I counted 4 traditions broken with this movie. But that's me.

Tulsasmom This film gracefully and respectfully challenges the idea that to be part of the 12 step community you must hide the miracle of your longterm, successful recovery! Keep it safe for newcomers but once you are strong, share about recovery (not 12 step) and make our message loud enough to be a formidable constituency to the legislature and media. I want a recovery high school in my town! The film is a little long - maybe a little too much history and not enough information about actions to be taken now. About three quarters through the film there is a driving piece of music and rising set of inspirational images. I thought the film would climax in that emotional rise, but instead the music ended and I got more information. It could have ended there for me. I have sent many people to see it and I will definitely see it again.

Tricia Foley-Jones The time has come for this conversation to take place. I was fascinated by the history of this disease and the effect our government has had (or not) on this epidemic. It is beyond my comprehension that addiction has reached the level that we see today in our communities. My little county leads the state of Maryland in overdose deaths...higher than Baltimore city. Lack of treatment and little oversight in the medical field are to blame. My husband is a person in long time recovery and for us that means that he has been drug and alcohol free for over 18 years. It also means that he has been a good husband, a wonderful father and a positive role model in our community. We need more people to come forward and show that in recovery all things are possible.To the director of this empowering film....thank you! We needed this wake up call! We took all of the guys from our recovery house to see your movie and it changed the way they view themselves and gave them a new perspective on their recovery. We were all inspired by your message and will carry it with us!

sophiepride3 This documentary stresses the need for advocacy for the disease of addiction. If addiction has been established as a "chronic brain disease", the various recovery groups need to band together to have a collective voice and political power so that addicts can have treatment, not jail sentences. Also, more funding for research, treatment, and follow-up care is crucial.The film refers to the public advocacy efforts of the gay community which greatly reduced the stigma of HIV/AIDS,and led to expanded funding for research and treatment options.Our anonymous traditions keep us from having a unified front. For example, I couldn't pass out flyers for the film at my 12 Step meeting because it is not an official event of that fellowship. A local 12-Step clubhouse does not allow meeting lists for "the other fellowship" on premises, as that would break a tradition. But a sign on the wall refers people to the other fellowship. Few people have heard of other recovery support groups such as Women For Sobriety. If we weren't so anonymous, we could change the stigma still attached to addiction, and especially to relapse. Our collective voice,and our vote, would be at least 23.5 million strong.Bill Wilson himself spoke before a Senate committee in 1969. In 1976, celebrities in recovery, including actor Dick Van Dyke and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, publicly supported recognition of addiction as a disease (Operation Understanding). This progress was sadly lost in the "War on Drugs" of the 1980s, when incarceration of drug addicts spiked enormously. To this day, prisons are primarily populated with addicts. The Anonymous People covers these points with excellent historic footage.The film does not bash 12 Step groups. Actress Kristen Johnston is one person who says "I'm not going to hide in a church basement" (paraphrased). I heard one other "church basement" comment. Don't let those comments detract you from the point of the film. See it for yourself. It's about unity, advocacy, gaining a political voice and a public face to tell the world "We do recover". We will not be shamed by people who do not understand that addiction is a chronic brain disease. Diseases deserves empathy and medical care, not disgust and prison sentences.