Sustainable Recovery: The Self-Transformative Power of Storytelling in Alcoholics Anonymous

Lederman, Linda C.; Menegatos, Lisa

doi:10.1080/1556035x.2011.597195

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Drinking Tale describes how sharing a narrative impacted the narrators themselves [ 67 ]. Sharing life stories helped the narrator’s recovery in five different ways; by being reminded of their painful past, reinforcing their own recovery, losing their sense of uniqueness, facilitating and improving their relationship with themselves, and eventually helping others [ 17 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this regards, the Social Identity Model of Recovery (SIMOR) identifies alcohol recovery as “a process of social identity transitioning, wherein an individual becomes a member of a recovery-orientated group, and in so doing internalizes the values and beliefs of the in-group which, in turn, leads to a new sense of self (or recovery identity) that strongly guides their attitudes and behaviours” (page 113) [ 7 , 16 ]. The act of sharing alcohol narratives has been an important component of the Alcohol Anonymous (AA) 12-step programme [ 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characteristics of alcohol recovery narratives: Systematic review and narrative synthesis

et al. 2022

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Background and aims Narratives of recovery from alcohol misuse have been analysed in a range of research studies. This paper aims to produce a conceptual framework describing the characteristics of alcohol misuse recovery narratives that are in the research literature, to inform the development of research, policy, and practice. Methods Systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches of databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, PsychInfo, AMED and SCOPUS), grey literature, and citation searches for included studies were conducted. Alcohol recovery narratives were defined as “first-person lived experience accounts, which includes elements of adversity, struggle, strength, success, and survival related to alcohol misuse, and refer to events or actions over a period of time”. Frameworks were synthesised using a three-stage process. Sub-group analyses were conducted on studies presenting analyses of narratives with specific genders, ages, sexualities, ethnicities, and dual diagnosis. The review was prospectively registered (PROSPERO CRD42021235176). Results 32 studies were included (29 qualitative, 3 mixed-methods, 1055 participants, age range 17-82years, 52.6% male, 46.4% female). Most were conducted in the United States (n = 15) and Europe (n = 11). No included studies analysed recovery narratives from lower income countries. Treatment settings included Alcoholic Anonymous (n = 12 studies), other formal treatment, and ‘natural recovery’. Eight principle narrative dimensions were identified (genre, identity, recovery setting, drinking trajectory, drinking behaviours, stages, spirituality and religion, and recovery experience) each with types and subtypes. All dimensions were present in most subgroups. Shame was a prominent theme for female narrators, lack of sense of belonging and spirituality were prominent for LGBTQ+ narrators, and alienation and inequality were prominent for indigenous narrators. Conclusions Review provides characteristics of alcohol recovery narratives, with implications for both research and healthcare practice. It demonstrated knowledge gaps in relation to alcohol recovery narratives of people living in lower income countries, or those who recovered outside of mainstream services. Protocol registration Prospero registration number: CRD42020164185.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of alcohol recovery narratives: Systematic review and narrative synthesis

et al. 2022

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“…Literature in the field of AA has indicated that membership necessarily involves assimilating with a strong core narrative (Cain, 1991; Humphreys; 2000; Lederman & Menegatos, 2011; Thune, 1977). However, many of these works have employed frameworks that only allow for identifying such core narratives, such as those that focus on how storytelling allows AA members to reinterpret their life histories and come to see themselves as “alcoholic.” Such works that follow the principles of narrative theory (Fisher, 1984) were largely designed to explore the structure, content and/or function of core narratives, rather than illuminate variations in the narrative.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The politics of belonging in Alcoholics Anonymous: A qualitative interview study

Glassman

Moensted

Rhodes

et al. 2021

American J of Comm Psychol

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A prevalent critique of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is that members must adopt an inflexible illness narrative, taking on an “alcoholic” identity and performing a set of practices to address this condition. Conversely, a small body of research suggests that, rather than comprising the uniform adoption of a rigid narrative, integration into AA is achieved by negotiating individual beliefs, values, and preferences with the AA model. To investigate such processes of negotiation, the current study aimed to explore the politics of belonging in AA. The study involved semi‐structured interviews with 15 AA members recruited from meetings across Sydney, Australia, and data were analyzed thematically. Findings illustrated how participants navigated the politics of inclusion/exclusion within AA. While some aspects of AA were found to be negotiable by participants, a non‐negotiable aspect of AA ideology that emerged was the axiom that “alcoholics” have no control over alcohol and therefore should maintain abstinence. Findings raise questions about how the politics of belonging in AA may shift over time following broader patterns of societal change.

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“…Therefore, the process of accepting the patient role and of behavior change starts with a change in the image the individual has of the alcoholic. After watching other patients attend meetings, an identification process starts with those equals narrating, as part of the AA recovery program, their own experiences ( 24 ) that in many cases are similar to their own. To identify themselves as having a disease is a release because the patient is not considered responsible for his illness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcoholic patients' response to their disease: perspective of patients and family

Lima-Rodríguez

Guerra-Martín

Domínguez-Sánchez

et al. 2015

Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem

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Objective: to know the perspective of alcoholic patients and their families about the behavioral characteristics of the disease, identifying the issues to modify the addictive behavior and seek rehabilitation. Method: ethnographic research using interpretative anthropology, via participant observation and a detailed interview with alcoholic patients and their families, members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Alanon in Spain. Results: development of disease behavior in alcoholism is complex due to the issues of interpreting the consumption model as a disease sign. Patients often remain long periods in the pre-contemplation stage, delaying the search for assistance, which often arrives without them accepting the role of patient. This constrains the recovery and is related to the social thought on alcoholism and self-stigma on alcoholics and their families, leading them to deny the disease, condition of the patient, and help. The efforts of self-help groups and the involvement of health professionals is essential for recovery. Conclusion: understanding how disease behavior develops, and the change process of addictive behavior, it may be useful for patients, families and health professionals, enabling them to act in a specific way at each stage.

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Sustainable Recovery: The Self-Transformative Power of Storytelling in Alcoholics Anonymous

Cited by 18 publications

References 24 publications

Characteristics of alcohol recovery narratives: Systematic review and narrative synthesis

Characteristics of alcohol recovery narratives: Systematic review and narrative synthesis

The politics of belonging in Alcoholics Anonymous: A qualitative interview study

Alcoholic patients' response to their disease: perspective of patients and family

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