Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 1

An Exploration of Women’s Experiences in A.A.

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADCDept of Social Work Monmouth University

Women’s Health: Addiction, Trauma & HopeOctober, 2007

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 2

Introduction

Interest in the topic area

Justification for the study Appropriateness of A.A. for women Need for information on gender-specific

recovery strategies

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 3

Topics of Discussion

Study goalsExamine how women in A.A. understand

alcoholism.Examine how women in A.A. understand

the program’s principles and practices.Examine how the women’s understanding

aids in achieving sobriety.

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 4

Research Questions

How do women in A.A. view the role of alcoholism in their lives?

What principles and practices of A.A. do women find helpful in achieving sobriety?

How do women using A.A. adapt the Program to serve their needs?

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 5

Theoretical Frame

Feminist standpoint theory

Bepko, Berenson, DeVault

Smith, Kasl, Covington

Spirituality

12 Step, Haller

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 6

Methodology

QualitativeFocus Groups

Member checking

Feminist ethnography Reinharz

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 7

Sampling

Theoretical sampling strategy

Recruitment

Data Collection

Focus Groups

Member checking

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 8

Data Analysis Strategy Data Recording

Coding

Identification of themes

Triangulation of data

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 9

Description of Participants

5 focus groups

Total of 29 participants

1 group exclusively of self identified lesbians

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 10

Participants’ Demographics

Sexual Orientation

18 heterosexual

9 lesbian

1 bisexual

1 transgendered

(biologically male, living as a female and lesbian)

Marital Status

8 single

14 married

1 partnered, legally married in Canada

3 divorced

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 11

Participants’ Demographics

Age Range

1- age 75 years

2 – age 72 years

4 – 60’s age range

5 – 50’s age range

13 – 40’s age range

Race

26 Caucasian

1 Black

1 Latina

1 Native American

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 12

Education Level

1

5

10

4

8

MD

MA

BA/BS

Assoc

High School

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 13

Religion

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Roman Catholic Protestant Christian Hindu Spiritual

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 14

Years in AA

20-25 years 14-19 yrs. 13-10 yrs. 9-3 yrs. 12-18 mnts.

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 15

Number of Relapses

70%

17%

7%

3%3%

0

1

2

3

4

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 16

Participants’ Demographics

Years Sober: 25 Years to 2 Days

7 with 20-25 years

15 with10 to 19 years

6 with 1 to 9 years

1 with 2 days

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 17

Research Results

Women and Alcoholism

Spirituality/Spiritual Fellowship

The Steps

Change

Barriers to A.A. and Women Friendly Adaptations

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 18

Women and Alcoholism

Why women use

The paradox of active alcohol use

Alcohol use and shame

Lesbians and alcohol use

A grateful alcoholic

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 19

Spirituality/Spiritual Fellowship

Spirituality vs. Religion

Images of God

Surrender and powerlessness

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 20

The Steps

Favorite Steps

A spiritual guide

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 21

Change

Self esteem and attitude

Relationships

Changes for lesbians

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 22

Barriers to A.A. and Women Friendly Adaptations

Language

A sexist program

Women’s meetings

A relational journey

Empowerment

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 23

Discussion and Findings

Alcoholism, Powerlessness and Recovery

Spirituality, Fellowship, The Steps and Change

Relational Recovery Model

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 24

Implications

Addiction Recovery

Social Work

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 25

Limitations

Methodology

Data collection

Recruitment

Sampling strategy

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 26

Future Research

More heterogeneity in group composition

Lesbian specific group

Sexism and heterosexism and type of A.A. group

Men’s vs. Women’s A.A. experiences

Experiences in other 12 Step programs

Carolyn A. Bradley, PhD, LCSW, LCADC 27

Future Research

Educational level of A.A. members

Conversion theory and retention of A.A. members