Alcoholism Surges Among Teens and Women in Playa del Carmen, AA Reports

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The number of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members in Playa del Carmen has grown by 80 to 90 people over the past year, driven largely by an influx of young people and women seeking help for alcohol and substance abuse, the organization reported.

Representatives of the Central Mexicana de Servicios Generales de AA said the municipality now hosts 106 groups with about 850 active participants in its recovery program.

Officials expressed particular concern over the arrival of adolescents struggling with addiction at increasingly younger ages. The group has received cases involving teenagers as young as 14 and 15 who already face difficulties from alcohol and toxic substance use.

Female participation continues to rise, reflecting a growing willingness among women to seek help and join recovery groups, AA representatives noted.

The organization also maintains a presence in hospitals and social reintegration centers, where it provides support to individuals working to overcome their addictions.

The announcement came during the 17th National Week of Information in Media and Social Networks of Alcoholics Anonymous, held from June 8 to 14 under the theme “Message of life that evolves with technology.” The event also marks the organization’s 91st anniversary.

AA first arrived in the Yucatan Peninsula in 1941 and later established itself in Quintana Roo with the San Miguel de Cozumel group, founded in 1955 and considered the oldest in the state. The organization now operates in 186 countries.