Alcoholics Anonymous: The Formation and Reformation of Self

I conducted ethnographic research on alcoholics and their struggle for recovery. My paper examines how cultural models of personhood acquired in childhood mediate the self-worth of adult alcoholics. My data derive from narrative discourse contained in personal stories told during AA meetings as well as in the life-histories that I elicited from two informants. A few of the more important themes to emerge in my analysis of the data include feelings of being different, ideas of religious faith, and a desire for success. My informants all believe that they failed to meet society’s expectations. Although my study relies upon a small, homogeneous sample, it is valuable for its focus on individuals, which is different from the usual focus on AA as an institution