Tradition 8 says: Al-Anon Twelfth Step work should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

I find two very different messages in this tradition. The first message I see is that we are all equal. We all come to the rooms as equals. It does not matter what our profession is, we are equals in that someone else's drinking bothers us. I think of the children's rhyme, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. This allows everyone to freely speak without fear of their profession interfering. You can be a doctor, a therapist, a clergy member, all professions that often help those needing some expert help. But in the rooms we are all equals all focusing on our personal recovery journey in healing from the results of alcoholism.

The second message I get from this tradition is one of being able to accept help when help is needed. I grew up in a home where asking for help indicated weakness or an inability to be perfect. Our goal growing up was to be perfect. Even today, my mom will not ask for help. She will be very passive though and say "oh I'm going to have to get my walker and take out the garbage" She will not ask someone to help her. Learning to ask for help took me a while. I would actually thank the person helping me so much they'd become embarrassed. I was just so grateful. Today, I say thank you once and then walk away. 

This is a wonderful tradition that very much applies to all of our affairs.