An Initial Imprinting of the Self-Help Groups of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous in Greece: The Demographic Facts

Abstract

Although the self-help groups of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Greece count more than 20 years of life, the related research in the field in this country is limited. This study is the first in this context. The study was conducted in a 16-month period (September 2004–January 2006) in the following towns: Athens, Thessaloniki, Serres, Nafplio, Iraklio, and Katerini. It was carried out in the frame of a diplomatic study in the postgraduate program of Social and Clinical Psychology of Addictions and Psychosocial Problems at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki under the supervision of Phoebus Zafiridis. The research aims to provide a general picture of AA and NA groups in Greece at the present time. We profile the people who participate in NA and AA groups. Specifically, this article presents an analysis of the answers of the 18 first items of a questionnaire on the demographic characteristics of AA and NA members. Findings are compared to those provided by the central organizations of AA and NA as well as similar official therapeutic programs in Greece. Our final sample includes 22 members of AA groups and 60 members of NA groups. The approach to the members proved to be the most difficult and important part of the research. The participants responded to 55 questions voluntarily and anonymously. Statistical analysis was conducted with statistical tool SPSS-12, in some cases augmented by qualitative Thematic Analysis. The findings describe the characteristics and main demographic features of our sample, specifically: sex, age, nationality/citizenship, denomination, marital