A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Mutual support and recovery in the Russian Alcoholics Anonymous online community




AuthorsLaura Lyytikäinen

PublisherDE GRUYTER OPEN LTD

Publication year2016

JournalNordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Journal name in sourceNORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Journal acronymNORD STUD ALCOHOL DR

Volume33

Issue2

First page 151

Last page172

Number of pages22

ISSN1455-0725

eISSN1458-6126

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1515/nsad-2016-0013


Abstract
AIMS - In Russia the paradigm of alcoholism as a disease is still in contrast to the general perception of alcoholics as weak-willed. This article studies alcoholism and recovery in Russia through the case study of the Russian Alcoholics Anonymous online group. It studies how people who are seeking help for their drinking problems in this online community come to incorporate a new self-understanding of being ill with alcoholism. DESIGN - The data were collected from a Russian online support group for people struggling with alcoholism. The source material consists of 617 posts by more than 35 individuals. The data was analysed with qualitative content analysis using the RQDA software. RESULTS - The online group acts as a virtual space where people can anonymously talk about alcoholism and engage with AA's 12-Step program. Typically, a new forum member goes through a process of admitting one's problem with alcohol and coming to a new understanding of oneself as a person suffering from a chronic disease. This process includes creating a new relation to alcohol, a new understanding of one's reasons for drinking and a commitment to stay sober and to help others to recover. CONCLUSIONS - The online community creates a space for engagement with AA's 12-Step program and service work of supporting other alcoholics in recovery in the context of Russia, where face-to-face AA groups and other recovery programmes are scarce. When the state cannot deliver the services for problem drinkers or recovering alcoholics, people may turn to the Internet to find alternative information and social support.



Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 21:03