A Sociohistorical Survey of Alcoholics Anonymous, Ritchie
OW,
Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Vol.9, 119-156, 1948
“The
emergence of alcoholism as a public health problem has profound
sociological implications. The etiology of this malady is directly
related to the personality of the excessive drinker and the social
milieu of which he is a part (1). It follows, then, that if this
problem is to be effectively approached it must be on the basis of an
understanding of these causative factors.Only then can techniques
of recovery be applied with any degree of consistent fruitfulness.
Along
with this new interest in alcoholism there has also developed a new
treatment program - the "fellowship" of Alcoholics
Anonymous. In relation to the problem of alcoholism this group of
former excessive drinkers has assumed a twofold function. First,
through their program of recovery Alcoholics
Anonymous have brought about the rehabilitation of thousands of
alcoholics. Second, they have played an important part in acquainting
the general public with the concept of alcoholism as a public health
problem.
Alcoholics
Anonymous, referred to ordinarily as A.A., is a rapidly growing
society of former excessive drinkers who have been convinced that,
for them, drinking constitutes an unmanageable problem. They have
banded together to solve their mutual problem and to help others who
are similarly affected.”
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