Statement on "Stigma

Having recently been called one of the old-timers in AA (though it still seems new to me) I have been wondering just how long it is going to take for me to find the stigma attached to being an alcoholic. All other things about the program have come true, but this stigma business is something I've failed to experience. As a member of AA I am in a class of persons that need look up to no man. When inadvertently or through necessity it has become known that I am an alcoholic and a member of AA, at no time has that knowledge handicapped me. In fact only good has come from it. After about two years of sobriety, an athletic equipment house permitted me to go back on the road for them. In the main, I called on school officials. My work took me into nine states. During the first round I attempted to avoid letting anyone know of my being an alcoholic. I was quite sure school officials would not want an alky in close contact with their schools. But I had a habit of contacting AA members in each town and having coffee with them. Naturally being seen with these folks it was not hard to put two and two together, especially in the smaller communities. After making a few rounds, to my surprise, the officials of the various communities would make it known to me that the AA friends I associated with were considered among their finest citizens. Never once in the six years I was on the road did I ever feel downgraded through their knowledge of my association with AA. I'm sure that my selling success and increased volume in business could very well be traced to the fact that many knew of it. I was prompted in writing this because of a certain business man who fears the "stigma" and therefore is afraid to join AA.