Alcoholics Anonymous and the Minnesota Model of Treatment in Iceland

• Published in: Substance Abuse
• Main Authors: McMenamin, Daniel, Warren, Matthew, Tyrfingsson, Þórarinn, Hansdóttir, Ingunn, Dermatis, Helen, Galanter, Marc, McMahon, Caitlin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2011
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2011.540486; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/08897077.2011.540486; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1080/08897077.2011.540486

This study was undertaken to provide an initial characterization of the current status of patients admitted to an alcoholism treatment program in Iceland. Consistent with the Minnesota Model, 12-step facilitation has been a central component of the program since its inception. Of the 94 patients assessed in this study, 67% were male and 40% had attended over 90 AA meetings prior to admission. The mean number of drinking days during the month prior to admission was 15.51 days and the mean length of hospital stay was 12.32 days. At time of hospital discharge, 39% were referred to residential treatment. Significant predictors of referral to residential treatment included having attended less than 90 AA meetings prior to admission and length of stay.