Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-2001

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Counseling

Major Professor

William A. Poppen

Committee Members

William L. Conwill, Kenneth R. Newton

Abstract

This study explores long term relationships with the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Utilizing a qualitative model identified as theory-led thematic analysis, the focus is on the transfer of dependency from the substance to the program. Theory-led thematic analysis is a three-stage process of extracting causal attributions from transcripted interviews, separating the causal attributions into emergent themes, and then further dividing the emergent themes into thematic categories. This process produced the four thematic categories of Need and Commitment, Enjoyment, Connection, and AA as a Way of Living. Each thematic category indicated varying manners through which the participants tied their lives into enduring relationships with the program. Five volunteers who are active members in Alcoholics Anonymous were interviewed for this project. Three of the participants were male and two were female. Lengths of sobriety for these participants ranged from eighteen months to over fourteen years. Although three of the five participants had relationships with Alcoholics Anonymous extending past their present lengths of sobriety, each participant has been active and attending multiple meetings weekly throughout their current sobriety. The study indicates that each of the participants maintains a moderate to strong dependence on the program in order to maintain sobriety. Balance and honesty are suggested as areas for future research. Honesty with themselves and the program, and the ability to balance outside lifestyles with Alcoholics Anonymous, appear to be key factors towards the acquisition and intensity of program dependence.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS