What twelve-step program meetings do have in common is the anonymity of their membership. Each group runs itself on the basis of principles common to the entire organization and which are laid out in the movement's literature. Twelve-step groups, while mutually supportive, are not associated with each other. Open meetings are, as the name suggests, open to family members and people who are interested in helping someone with a problem as well as those with the problem. Closed meetings are limited to those with the problem.
All meetings below are open meetings unless otherwise indicated.
The importance of anonymity The anonymity of the group members is sacred in all twelve-step programs. Anonymity gives people the courage to start their healing processes in private and without the fear of exposure to the greater community. Members can feel confident that whatever is said in the meeting stays within the walls of the meeting room. Any member who breaks anonymity by, for example, announcing his or her affiliation with a group, is doing so on their own accord, with no backing from the organization. If you are not sure whether or not you suffer from the problems addressed by the following groups, visit their web pages.