Unfortunately while we are an anonymous fellowship, and what is said in the rooms is supposed to stay in the rooms; there is nothing said in the rooms that is protected by law. So yes, a police officer and a teacher could be sanctioned based on what was shared at an AA meeting.
That is why it is advisable to share the specifics with a trusted sponsor and not in an open meeting. I have approached ppl after meetings and reminded them of that (ie: someone admitted to welfare fraud in a meeting, I felt the need to remind him that a meeting is not the place to share that).

At the meeting's i go to nobody tells on anyone. thats why its called alcoholic's annonymous. I have seen famous ppl at meetings we just treat them like anyone else.

Yeah it says to share in a general way and we have sponsor's to tell everything too, if you choose too. One meeting i went to a couple yrs back they have a priest everyone goes too for there 5th step.

hmmm some good advice. I'm sometimes paranoid. That's one reason I was at home drinker. Ok I did'nt drink today so I can say was :)Mike your group sounds close, but unfortunately I know a lot of people will go to one or two random meeting and maybe get bitter and snitch. I 'm not ashamed of my issue because I'm only human just protective of a career I've worked really hard for.

after years of blurting out anything that came to mind - I have realized that it is best to use discretion in AA meetings. I have had some things come back to haunt me. Just because someone is sober does not mean they have become wonderful people who will honor your privacy.

say nothing of your profession, get the help you need anonymously, hope no one recognises you. I remember a drunken headteacher in Primary school she was nasty, ended up getting the sack.

I would say go and just listen. Approach a woman whom you feel you have something in common with (someone with at least a year sobriety)and ask her to be your sponsor. Asking someone to be your sponsor doesn't mean you should completely unload your whole life right away, a relationship is something that is developed and trust could be earned gradually.

Anonymity in AA was chosen for two reasons. The first, most obvious reason is for concerns like yours. They felt that more lives would be saved if newcomers felt safe in their anonymity being preserved. They were right. The second had to do with alcoholic egos, and public perception. We are imperfect ppl, sick ones trying to get well. In other words, we screw up. So, the question is, which is more important? Your life-literally or pride, standing in the community or even a job?

I was at a woman's mtg once where a very nervous woman was there sharing it was here first f2f, but she was doing online AA. This gal was paranoid! I did not immediately recognize her, but turns out she was a public figure in the justice system. Her concerns were understandable. She did not return and I always wonder when I see her on TV.....

Not sure about the legality of some of those policies, but keep drinking and everyone knows, even if you think they don't. Trust me, the price paid for being seen at an AA meeting is not as high as you think compared to continuing drinking and not getting help. And if no one knows either way? One offers a better life the other, death-fast or slow.

Phoenix

In my area, there are separate closed meetings for certain professions like;

Doctors, Lawyer's,Police officers and Judges
who have to face AA members in their work environment.

we have many, many pilots and flight attendants in the alcoholics anonymous membership. though we have an eap--employee assistance program--which one goes to be directed to treatment on an anonymous basis, the airlines are thrilled that its employees seek help. we have aa meetings at nearly all major airports several times a day. also i have probably 25-30 nurses in my homegroup. btw, northwest airlines rescinded the termination of a captain who was caught flying drunk. it was a felony. he went to prison. after some years working construction and the like and doing an enormous amount of service work their ceo heard about this miraculous transformation and hired him back. with a felony and as a member of alcoholics anonymous. his story can be found in one of the editions of the big book.

i've been in AA meetings where pizzas were delivered.
ive been to meetings where police officers came in and arrested some one in the meeting who was about to share. lol

I've heard of pleanty of PO's that have been arrested for drunk driving and so forth. Is it right? I can't really say. It is a profession with a lot of stess, but I don't know if that gives it the right.

we have a fire chief and several cops. the cops sit next to the crooks. i am not saying it never happens but i have never, ever, seen anyone arrested at an aa meeting and the one i go to is filled with potential arrestees. don't forget, our commander of chief and the vice president of this country are alcoholics. sure didn't limit thei career opportunities, did it? alcoholism--from jackie o to the ghetto.

Alcoholics to it's finiest...guess you could say.

those two! i believe they are what we call "untreated" by any recovery method. hard to seek help when you know it all!