Slipping and Sobriety; The Functions of Drinking in Alcoholics Anonymous,
Rudy DR, Journal
of Studies on Alcohol, Vol. 41(7), 727-732, 1980
“Summary.
A.A. groups create pressures and provide expectations that
encourage some
members to resume drinking. Members' responses to these relapses
contribute to group solidarity
and strengthen the
boundaries between the norms of sobriety and deviant behavior.
The
purpose of the present report is to illustrate the dynamics and
importance of "slipping” - a relapse in drinking by a
recovering alcoholic - to Alcoholics Anonymous. This report also
views slipping in the broader theoretical framework of the sociology
of deviance.”
“Conclusions
A.A.'s
highly specified normative system and the manner in which this system
is interpreted by A.A. members encourages some members to slip.
Slipping and members' responses to those who slip appear to
strengthen group boundaries as well as the abstinence of individual
members. Perhaps the normalcy of slipping and its dynamics help
explain why the A.A. program has been successful in reintegrating
many alcoholics into the community.”
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