NCJ Number
132357
Journal
Journal of Adolescent Chemical Dependency Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (1991) Pages: 101-120
Date Published
1991
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Although both Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) employ a Twelve-Step recovery approach, the latter is usually more suitable for adolescents who are chemically dependent. In fact, N.A. was started after A.A. decided it could not manage a recovery problem for drug addicts, and Young People's A.A., started in the 1940's, lacked adequate guidelines to deal with the mood-altering substances, deficit behaviors, and anti-social despair of its clients.
Abstract
A.A., founded in 1935, emerged from a social context of family stability, morality, conservatism, and skepticism toward psychiatry; its only mission is to promote abstinence from alcohol. In constrast, N.A., though it was established in 1953, grew slowly and did not take shape until the 1970's and 1980's. The varied clientele of N.A. made its mission to deal with the unmanageability of addiction in general, using principles of psychotherapy and rehabilitation. The N.A. characteristics of unconditional acceptance, love, family, emotional openness and egalitarianism make it an ideal organization for adolescent addicts. 8 references