Resilience in attaining and sustaining sobriety among older lesbians with alcoholism.

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.