Aim: The present study investigates if and to what degree self-compassion, length of
sobriety, purpose and meaning in life is associated with a sense of longing for
alcohol, for former alcoholics. It also investigates reasons former alcoholics give for
their continued sobriety.
Method: Data was gathered with an online questionnaire from relevant Danish
channels for former alcoholics such as treatment centers and Facebook groups.
Mixed methods were used. The measurements were the Danish Self Compassion
Scale - short form (SCS-SF12DK), the Danish Purpose In Life Test - short form,
asking about the degree and frequency of the former alcoholic’s sense of longing for
alcohol, and the reasons that they do not start drinking again. A total of 232 sober
participants completed the questionnaire.
Results: Over 90% of the participants reported not to suffer from any sense of
longing for alcohol from alcohol abstinence, showing that this in general is not an
issue in sobriety. For the small variance in the sense of deprivation, small negative
correlations were found -.27 < r < -.20, p < 0,05 with purpose in life, self-compassion
positive subscale for self-compassion (mindfulness, common humanity, and
self-kindness), negative subscale for self-compassion (self-judgment, isolation, and
over-identification), and length of sobriety.
The qualitative data were interpreted through a thematic analysis, and sorted into
three different themes and one sub-theme, being: “The fear of losing one’s
existence”, “I remember hell” (sub-theme), “In the present life I have the choice”,
and “I no longer have any need for alcohol”.
Implication: The quantitative data can be used to instil hope in a newly sober client,
due to the general finding that when asked, a sense of longing for alcohol is almost
exclusively not an issue for the sober alcoholic. The qualitative data gives an
emphasis on the agency that can be acquired through knowing where one is
powerless and where the energy can be laid. This can be important for the clinical
practitioner to have in mind.