| ID | 147072 |
| Title Proper | Way of abstinence |
| Other Title Information | stigma and spirituality in Danshukai, a Japanese self-help organisation for alcoholics |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Chenhall, Richard ; Oka, Tomofumi |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Stigma associated with alcoholism is common in Japan, and individuals who suffer from alcoholism often feel that it is a taboo to discuss their problems with alcohol in the general public. This paper describes the way in which the self-help group called Danshukai offers a model for recovery for people suffering from alcoholism in Japan. Since 2006, the authors have been involved in various meetings and conducted conversational and semi-structured interviews with leaders and rank-and-file members of Danshukai. In Danshukai, recovery is viewed as a spiritual process offering the potential for a new life compared to models offered by medical treatment that place little emphasis on the role of spirituality in recovery. While medical models seek to reduce alcohol-related stigma by viewing it as a treatable ‘disease’, rather than a personality weakness, Danshukai encourages members to embrace their identity as a Danshukai member and to engage with a ‘way of abstinence’ that includes a lifelong commitment to Danshukai activities and helping others with similar problems. |
| `In' analytical Note | Japanese Studies Vol. 36, No.1; May 2016: p.105-124 |
| Journal Source | Japanese Studies 2016-04 36, 1 |
| Key Words | Spirituality ; Alcoholics ; Stigma ; Way of Abstinence ; Danshukai ; Japanese Self-help Organisation |