PSYCHOLOGY AND ALCOHOLISM: CONTRIBUTIONS OF A CASE STUDY IN THE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS GROUP

Abstract

With a history of 89 years and a presence in 180 countries, the organization Alcoholics Anonymous promises to help alcoholics recover with weekly meetings and a protocol based on 12 fundamental steps. To understand the role of this modality in the process of symptom remission of individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder, in view of knowledge of evidence-based psychology, in the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy approach, and psychopathology, this article presents a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research, with the case study method. 12 meetings of an Alcoholics Anonymous group were followed up in March and April 2024, and a literature review was conducted to outline relevant aspects of the alcoholics treatment process and compare evidence-based practices with the processes carried out by the group. The results demonstrate that there is no deepening of the causes of the disorder in Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as subjective and particular aspects, and that inclusion in the group can work as a part of the complete treatment, especially with regard to relapse prevention strategies, but not as comprehensive support.