Alcoholics Anonymous in Trinidad

ABSTRACT

Alcoholics Anonymous is well established in Trinidad and serves as an indispensable modality in the rehabilitation of alcoholics. This study seeks to investigate socio-demographic characteristics and gender differences of members attending AA groups in Trinidad. Data was collected along the following variables age, gender, ethnicity, religion, age of onset of alcohol use, psychiatric diagnosis and intentions for seeking treatment. A descriptive study of 107 members attending AA groups in Trinidad was studied and analyzed utilizing a demographic questionnaire and the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST). The statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 16) was used to conduct all statistical analyses. The age of the sample ranged from 22 to 78 with a mean of 48.01. Males dominated the sample, accounting for 68% (n=73), while females were 32% (n=34). In terms of ethnicity, East Indians accounted for 62% (n=65) of the sample, Africans 14% (n=15), Mixed 16% (n=17) and Other 7% (n=7). Religious constitution was dominated by Hindus 36% (n=38), Roman Catholics 21% 9n=22), other 14% (n=15), Presbyterian 10% (n=11), Pentecostal 9% (n=10), Muslim 5% (n=6) and Anglican 4% (n=5). Results utilizing the t-test showed that mean scores for males versus females differed significantly from each other (t (1,105) =2.11, p=0.036) with males having a higher score on the MAST compared to females. Overall 14% of individuals indicated to having a co-morbid psychiatric disorder of which 10.5% were depression. There was no significant difference between genders. The composition and structure of AA groups in Trinidad is fashioned on a male gender bias. There is a need to address specific gender issues in the treatment of female alcoholics.