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Abstract
This phenomenological study illuminates coping among older lesbians with alcoholism. Twenty study participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling; each completed 3 interviews structured to gain a deeper understanding of participants’ lived experiences. This article focuses on the key situations and people that helped study participants obtain sobriety and stay sober. Five major themes emerged from the data: wake-up calls, impact of formal treatment, impact of 12-step recovery groups, consequences from other sources, and resiliency. Findings support the need for culturally sensitive approaches to practice with this subpopulation of older adults.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank the participants in this study who gave many hours of their time to tell their stories with the hope that they were being helpful to others. Special appreciation goes to Susan Buzzell for final editing of this article; Annatjie Faul, Institutional Faculty Sponsor, Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville, who gave much support for this project; Rhonda Amer, Kent School of Social Work, who spent many hours of her time to read, transcribe and discuss the content of the participant interviews; and Kim Rogers, Administrative Associate, Kent School of Social Work, who gave much assistance with technical details of this project.