An Exploration of Womens Experiences in A.A.

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An Exploration of Womens Experiences in A.A.

• Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC
• Dept of Social Work Monmouth University
• Womens Health Addiction, Trauma Hope
• October, 2007

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Introduction

• Interest in the topic area
• Justification for the study
• Appropriateness of A.A. for women
• Need for information on gender-specific
• recovery strategies

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Topics of Discussion

• Study goals
• Examine how women in A.A. understand alcoholism.
• Examine how women in A.A. understand the
  programs principles and practices.
• Examine how the womens understanding aids in
  achieving sobriety.

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Research Questions

• How do women in A.A. view the role of alcoholism
  in their lives?
• What principles and practices of A.A. do women
  find helpful in achieving sobriety?
• How do women using A.A. adapt the Program to
  serve their needs?

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Theoretical Frame

• Feminist standpoint theory
• Bepko, Berenson, DeVault
• Smith, Kasl, Covington
• Spirituality
• 12 Step, Haller

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Methodology

• Qualitative
• Focus Groups
• Member checking
• Feminist ethnography
• Reinharz

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Sampling

• Theoretical sampling strategy
• Recruitment

Data Collection

• Focus Groups
• Member checking

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Data Analysis Strategy

• Data Recording
• Coding
• Identification of themes
• Triangulation of data

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Description of Participants

• 5 focus groups
• Total of 29 participants
• 1 group exclusively of self identified lesbians

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Participants Demographics

• Sexual Orientation
• 18 heterosexual
• 9 lesbian
• 1 bisexual
• 1 transgendered
• (biologically male, living as a female and
  lesbian)

• Marital Status
• 8 single
• 14 married
• 1 partnered, legally married in Canada
• 3 divorced

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Participants Demographics

• Age Range
• 1- age 75 years
• 2 age 72 years
• 4 60s age range
• 5 50s age range
• 13 40s age range

• Race
• 26 Caucasian
• 1 Black
• 1 Latina
• 1 Native American

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Education Level
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Religion
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Years in AA
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Number of Relapses
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Participants Demographics

• Years Sober 25 Years to 2 Days
• 7 with 20-25 years
• 15 with10 to 19 years
• 6 with 1 to 9 years
• 1 with 2 days

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Research Results

• Women and Alcoholism
• Spirituality/Spiritual Fellowship
• The Steps
• Change
• Barriers to A.A. and Women Friendly Adaptations

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Women and Alcoholism

• Why women use
• The paradox of active alcohol use
• Alcohol use and shame
• Lesbians and alcohol use
• A grateful alcoholic

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Spirituality/Spiritual Fellowship

• Spirituality vs. Religion
• Images of God
• Surrender and powerlessness

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The Steps

• Favorite Steps
• A spiritual guide

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Change

• Self esteem and attitude
• Relationships
• Changes for lesbians

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Barriers to A.A. and Women Friendly Adaptations

• Language
• A sexist program
• Womens meetings
• A relational journey
• Empowerment

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Discussion and Findings

• Alcoholism, Powerlessness and Recovery
• Spirituality, Fellowship, The Steps and Change
• Relational Recovery Model

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Implications

• Addiction Recovery
• Social Work

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Limitations

• Methodology
• Data collection
• Recruitment
• Sampling strategy

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Future Research

• More heterogeneity in group composition
• Lesbian specific group
• Sexism and heterosexism and type of A.A. group
• Mens vs. Womens A.A. experiences
• Experiences in other 12 Step programs

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Future Research

• Educational level of A.A. members
• Conversion theory and retention of A.A. members