The universality of a self-help program of American origin: narcotics anonymous in Israel.
A phenomenological field study of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Israel focused on the way a self-help program, based on American Christian ideology was adopted in Israel. Acculturation problems were anticipated, due to cultural, demographic and religious differences. Participant observations and open-ended interviews supplied the raw data. Emphasis was placed on the factors and processes definable as typically American: voluntarism and pragmatism, personal sharing as a basis for relationships, spiritual rather than religious faith, the idea of a "personal God" guiding individuals, faith in God without religious tradition and formal ritualism. The results showed that, for the substance-dependents, the issue is generally irrelevant, and they accepted most "American" components of the program unquestioningly. However, two discrete features of Christian ideology required conscious incorporation by NA's Israeli members: (1) the concept of a "Loving God" who is non-punitive, which for many members was opposed to their traditions and upbringing, and (2) kneeling to pray, a recommendation which many members initially found problematic. The conclusion denotes a factor facilitating the transfer of therapeutic programs from one culture to another--that of personal suffering as a universal domain. It transcends all cultural boundaries and generates willingness to accept foreign concepts which reveal suffering and propose a pragmatic way to end it.
Ronel
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Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D007585:Jews / Q000523:psychology*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D014481:United States