Individualism and welfare — Alcoholics Anonymous and the Minnesota model in Denmark

Compared to other Scandinavian & European countries, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) gained a foothold rather late in Denmark. The first stable AA groups were not established until the late 1970s, but fellowship has spread rapidly to all corners of the country since the introduction of the Minnesota model (MM) treatment (based on AA philosophy) in 1985. Yet today, despite 150 active AA groups & 10 MM treatment centers, AA is still not commonly known & is seldom mentioned in public debates on addiction. This aversion to both AA & the MM stems not from the disease model or the spiritual aspects of the program, but rather from the dislike of the individualized American view of the person implicit in the program. 12 References. M. Maguire