How men and women utilize ideology in Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the most commonly sought sources of help for problem drinking in the U.S., yet few social science studies look at individual processes within AA, nor the clinical efficacy of AA as a self-help group. In trying to address this research gap, this paper specifically attempts to contribute to medical anthropology by exploring the collective AA ideology and understanding how AA members utilize the ideology to abstain from alcohol-related behaviors. This research furthermore points to gender as a critical dimension of Western culture in determining how individuals utilize AA ideology. Implications for needed studies pertaining to gender-specific processes in AA become apparent in this paper when considering how effectively members are able to utilize AA ideology, if abstinence from drinking and drinking-related behaviors is the goal.