When a substance and/or alcohol dependent patient has achieved and maintained some Recovery time, the issue often comes up: when is it appropriate to disclose this MEDICAL condition (addiction) to others? I stress the word “medical” because disclosure of addiction recovery should be treated just like any other medical information. Consider the same question for a diabetic patient: when should the diabetic patient disclose to others that he or she is diabetic?
In my opinion, disclosure (both for the diabetic patient and for the person in Recovery) should be made on a strictly need-to-know basis. It may seem like a good idea to share this information with others – especially because it has likely become a significant part of what the person in recovery thinks about throughout the day. The impulse seen in some recovering members to indiscriminately proclaim their substance/alcohol dependency, especially in early Recovery, can have profoundly devastating consequences: professionally, personally and psychologically.
Disclosure in the Workplace
Some addicts/alcoholics find it useful (and expedient) to immediately disclose their condition, for example, when asked why they are not drinking alcohol. Others in Recovery however, (who may be employees in unenlightened corporations, companies or other real-world institutions) may find such disclosures injurious to their employment &/or promotion. In the latter circumstances, more vague answers (such as citing the preventative health benefits of abstinence, invoking an allergy to alcohol, or referring to the strict drinking and driving laws) are clearly preferable.
When is Disclosure Recommended?
There are, of course, safety-sensitive jobs (such as nursing or professional aviation) that require disclosure to an appropriate overseer, but even in these careers, it is not advisable to divulge one’s diagnosis to each and every colleague and co-worker. Doing so may lead to a hostile reaction from people who may have an incomplete understanding of substance dependency. They may also have unresolved, ambivalent conflicts perpetuating a stigma towards substance dependency, perhaps stemming from their own or a loved one’s undiagnosed/untreated addiction.
Honest disclosure is also absolutely necessary when applying for disability insurance. An insurance policy becomes null and void if it is determined that the applicant did not FULLY disclose the existence of a pre-existing medical condition such as alcohol/substance dependency or some other mental illness.
It is also essential to be honest with one’s health care providers, as long as confidentiality is assured.
When is Disclosure Not Recommended?
On the other hand, I have, on occasion, personally witnessed extremely hostile and malicious reactions of “friends” and “neighbours” who were made aware of an addict/alcoholic’s diagnosis, even when that person was in good, stable Recovery! In such circumstances, the social consequences to the addict/alcoholic and his or her family can be devastating.
If in doubt as to when – and whether – to disclose, a good resource for advice should always be your sponsor who can help you decide on a case-by case basis whether it’s advisable or not to confide in someone else.
How to Protect Against Unintended Disclosure During COVID-19
In this age of Covid-19, it is important to have some assurance of confidentiality/anonymity when participating in on-line 12-step or Recovery meetings so as to prevent accidental or unintended disclosure of one’s participation in an online recovery group. One of the advantages of electronic meetings is that they allow for name changes and the option not to appear visually on camera. This is helpful for those concerned that they might be accidentally identified by co-workers (as one example).
Many meetings are set up with a waiting room, so that the host of the online meeting must admit newcomers on an individual basis. Passwords are increasingly common for meetings to ensure that people do not join accidentally. Meetings can be set up to not allow people to join after a certain time, essentially “locking the doors” once the meeting has commenced. Video and audio recordings are typically disabled for recovery meetings so that there is no record of participants. If a person does join a meeting who is not respecting anonymity or other rules of the group, the host of the meeting also has the ability to remove participants if needed. A number of other security measures can also be put in place through the meeting’s settings, and most meeting hosts should be able to describe to you the precautions taken by that group to protect its members. Therefore, a degree of security exists here which may even exceed that of “live” 12-step meetings.
In Summary
Disclosure is ultimately a personal choice. While disclosing to someone may actually be beneficial to the person receiving the information, it is helpful to remember the general principle that disclosure should be made on a strictly need-to-know basis. The welfare of the recovering addict/alcoholic always comes first, even before any other possibly altruistic considerations.
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