Katy Perry. Miley Cyrus. Lucy Hale. Brad Pitt.
No, they weren’t spotted partying at a super-exclusive Hollywood last night.
In the last few months, all four have come forward to announce that — at least for now — they are sober.
The reasons range from Katy’s stated desire to “cleanse my mind,” to Pitt’s goal of stopping “running from feelings,” but the effect for each has been the same: sparking new conversations about sobriety, anonymity and celebrity.
Does it help or hurt the cause when big names claim they’ve embraced a recovery lifestyle? And are they all violating the Eleventh and Twelfth Tradition when they do so?
That tradition states, of course, that we “maintain personal anonymity at the level of press radio and films,” because “anonymity is the spiritiual foundation of all these steps.”
Celebrities speaking out about their recovery often sends people spiraling, claiming that those who discuss it publicly are fundamentally violating principles. If these people relapse, the critics claim, they’ll turn other addicts and alcoholics and need away from the cause.
But are they really, if they claim to be sober rather than specifically a member of AA or NA?
You’ll probably get a different answer depending on who you ask.
At the end of the day, more people talking about the reality of life in recovery means that the stigma surrounding sobriety and a clean way of life may fade.
And the shape of everyone’s recovery journey is different.
Just remember, if you see any of them in a meeting, don’t go calling the tabloids!
For more on what it means to live a life in recovery, call us today!