Alcoholics Anonymous in Finland

The Finnish AA started early, and continues to be one of the strongest in Europe. The early growth was spectacular, and continued at a high and relatively stable pace in the 1960s and '70s. In the '80s, the growth rate decreased markedly, and in the early '90s there was almost a standstill. The Finnish AA is strong, autonomous and somewhat secluded, but not isolated. There is a strong emphasis on organizational independence, equality, and direct democracy, accentuated by the lack of non-alcoholics as trustees. Every group can also send their representative directly to the annual meetings. The AA meetings tend to be small, intimate and secluded. Circular seating arrangements, speaking in seating order and the lack of speakers' meetings symbolize the basic equality of all participants, in a way reminiscising radical Protestantism. Other parallels are the sparseness of rituals and the suspicious attitude to rhetoric skills and outward enthusiasm. Although AA has an easy access to most treatment institutions, it has not been intimately involved in the treatment system, and the public sales to non-members is insignificant. The organization is working smoothly, and there are no financial problems. But as a social movement, AA in Finland may stand at a watershed, destined as it is either to grow or recede.