“I’m Not Like Most Of You Here, I’m Just An ALCOHOLIC ”: A RUSSIAN BAPTIST Theory Of Addiction Cover Image

“I’m Not Like Most Of You Here, I’m Just An ALCOHOLIC ”: A RUSSIAN BAPTIST Theory Of Addiction
“I’m Not Like Most Of You Here, I’m Just An ALCOHOLIC ”: A RUSSIAN BAPTIST Theory Of Addiction

Author(s): Igor Mikeshin
Subject(s): Substance abuse and addiction, Health and medicine and law
Published by: Tartu Ülikool, Eesti Rahva Muuseum, Eesti Kirjandusmuuseum
Keywords: alcoholism; addiction; rehabilitation; Russian Baptist Church;

Summary/Abstract: In my paper I discuss alcoholics in the Russian Baptist rehabilitation ministry by comparing them to drug addicts. In the outside world, as well as in the early stages of the rehabilitation program, alcoholics and illicit drug abusers are perceived as different cultural groups. However, during the program, rehabilitants learn Russian Baptist dogma and theology, and soon afterwards the distinction becomes obsolete for them. I address narratives of distinction and the Russian Baptist response to them. Then I reconstruct the Russian Baptist theory of addiction to demonstrate why alcoholism and substance dependence are not regarded as a problem, but rather as consequences of the real problem, which is a life in sin.

  • Issue Year: X/2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 19-32
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: English