Subjective recovery accounts of Japanese female patients suffering from alcohol use disorder. A phenomenological study

Purpose This study aimed to examine the subjective recovery accounts of Japanese female patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the factors that affect their recovery. Design and Methods This qualitative study used a phenomenological design. A focus group with 10 Japanese participants was conducted. Findings Five theme clusters emerged: drinking to forget unpleasant feelings, fighting compulsive cravings with craving, unhealed wounds from past traumatic experiences, encounters with role models in self‐help groups, and changing one's mindset to a proactive pursuit of happiness. Practice Implications To support the recovery of women with AUD, psychiatric nurses should help them improve their family relationships, find recovery models, and proactively provide them with trauma‐informed care.