Alcoholics Anonymous in Mexico: Fragmentation and Strenghths

Abstract

This paper describes some of the organizational characteristics of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), as well as the socio-cultural and historical background that influenced its development. It also presents certain aspects of AA’s development in Mexico and some peculiarities necessary for the institution’s adaptation to the country’s social context, highlighting some segmentations suffered through time, which have not lessened aaaa’s vitality or importance. It also analyzes the social factors that have contributed to aaaa’s peculiar configuration in Mexico. The data presented in this paper is the result of an international joint study funded by the World Health Organization (who) in Europe, which involved seven other countries, besides Mexico.