Originally Posted by
lostinstl 
I know a lot of people professionally who are in AA and NA and I cannot have them see me there. I know it's confidential and they could never act upon it, but I've seen far more cut-throat things happen. Maybe go out of town 20-30 miles?
Of course, if everyone had that attitude, then you would be surrounded by people you know at the meeting 30 miles away and the meeting a couple of miles down the road would be filled with strangers who traveled from the town 30 miles away.
The anonymity aspect of AA/NA is real. What could these people possibly do to you? If your anony ity is violated you could easily violate theirs right back.
They are either there because the messed up and got court ordered or because they are just like you and want help.