Kenneth Anderson

Harm Reduction Radio - HAMS

Kenneth Anderson

  • Becoming Alcoholic

Becoming Alcoholic

Thursday 23rd February 2012

Kenneth Anderson and David Rudy explore how affiliating with Alcoholics Anonymous transforms identity, similar to a religious conversion.
36 minutes
Informative
Thought-provoking
Educational
Engaging
Non-judgmental

About this podcast

Harm Reduction Radio - HAMS
Author:
Kenneth Anderson
Overview:
Categories:
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Sobriety Toolkit
Family Recovery from Addiction
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
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The Identity Transformation in Alcoholics Anonymous: Insights from David Rudy

Identity change is characterized by changing reference groups or changing reference individuals.
Ever wondered how joining Alcoholics Anonymous can reshape someone's identity? In this episode of Harm Reduction Radio, Kenneth Anderson chats with David Rudy, the author of 'Becoming Alcoholic: Alcoholics Anonymous and the Reality of Alcoholism'. Rudy, a sociologist, offers a unique take on how the process of joining AA mirrors a religious conversion. He explains that this transformation involves adopting new reference groups or individuals, fundamentally altering one's self-perception and social interactions.
The episode dives into different types of alcoholic careers, such as pure alcoholics, convinced alcoholics, converted alcoholics, and tangential alcoholics. It also touches on how norm conflicts can exacerbate addiction issues. With Rudy's sociological lens, listeners gain a fresh perspective on the role of identity in addiction and recovery. If you're curious about the inner workings of AA and how it influences personal identity, this episode is a must-listen.