J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2018 Jun;29(2):194-205. 10.12799/jkachn.2018.29.2.194.

Experiences of Overcoming Alcoholism in Alcoholics' Female Spouses Using Al-Anon

• Sim JE
• Hwang SY

• KMID: 2415577
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2018.29.2.194

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to investigate and elucidate actual experiences of alcoholics' spouses using familial social gatherings.
METHODS
A total of nine women whose alcoholic husbands were attending Al-Anon meetings held in Y Cathedral in S District of Seoul were included in this study. Data collection of this study was conducted through in-depth interviews with participants from September 24 to November 30, 2015. Data analysis was conducted at the same time as the data collection, and analysis was performed according to the method suggested by Colaizzi(1978).
RESULTS
We categorized the participants' experiences into five themes including "˜Trapped in a Deep Dark Tunnel', "˜Life of Walking in an Endless Tunnel', "˜Reaching a Dead End', "˜Walking towards a Ray of Light', "˜Finding Oneself on a Strange Path'.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study provide an understanding of the essential structure of the life experiences of alcoholic spouses using familial social gatherings.

Keyword

Alcoholics; Spouses; Life; Alcoholics Anonymous

MeSH Terms

Alcoholics
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholism*
Data Collection
Female*
Humans
Life Change Events
Methods
Seoul
Spouses*
Statistics as Topic
Walking