Recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous: conversion to the recovered alcoholic identity

摘要

The purpose of this study is to analyze and understand the personal changes that occur in an individual when he or she becomes a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous believes that a spiritual experience is central to recovery, and this thesis will examine whether the experience of becoming sober in Alcoholics Anonymous is similar to a religious conversion. It will also investigate the role of Alcoholics Anonymous as a reference group in the conversion process. This study will examine how members adapt to a new set of beliefs and behaviors, reconstruct their meaning of self, and how the individual transforms their social identity from that of alcoholic to one of the recovered alcoholic.