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Alcoholics Anonymous and the family: a systemic perspective
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|January 1, 1985
Summary
This study uses a cybernetic model to understand alcoholism, viewing addictive drinking as a paradoxical "solution" to psychosocial issues for individuals with alcohol use disorder. Alcoholics Anonymous is presented as a potential alternative "solution".
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Systems Theory
- Addiction Studies
Background:
- Alcoholism is characterized by self-destructive drinking behaviors.
- This behavior often leads to dysphoria, worsening the underlying issues.
- Individuals with alcohol use disorder face paradoxical psychosocial contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply a cybernetic paradigm to understand addictive drinking in individuals with alcohol use disorder.
- To analyze the self-destructive and paradoxical nature of alcoholism.
- To explore the roles of family systems and Alcoholics Anonymous within a cybernetic framework.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a cybernetic perspective to model social systems.
- Analyzing the behavior of individuals with alcohol use disorder within their family systems.
- Examining the role of Alcoholics Anonymous as a social system.
Main Results:
- Alcoholism can be conceptualized as a maladaptive response to complex psychosocial situations.
- Addictive drinking may serve as a perceived 'solution' to these paradoxical contexts.
- Alcoholics Anonymous offers a potentially more adaptive 'solution' for recovery.
Conclusions:
- A cybernetic framework provides valuable insights into the dynamics of alcoholism.
- Understanding alcoholism as a system-based problem highlights the need for systemic interventions.
- The study suggests that recovery can be viewed as a shift towards more adaptive systemic 'solutions'.