Eszter Pados1,2, Asztrik Kovács1,2, Dániel Kiss1,2, Szilvia Kassai1,2, Máté Kapitány-Fövény3,4, Ferenc Dávid5, Szilvia Karsai1,2, András Terebessy6, Zsolt Demetrovics2, Mark D Griffiths7, József Rácz2,3,5. 1. Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. 2. Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. 3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Addictology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. 4. Nyírő Gyula National Institute of Psychiatry and Addictions, Budapest, Hungary. 5. Blue Point Drug Counselling and Outpatient Centre, Budapest, Hungary. 6. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. 7. Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
Abstract
Background: Temporary abstinence from alcohol as a challenge could support self-knowledge, self-care, and health consciousness in several ways. Objectives: The present study explored Dry November participants' personal experiences and coping strategies during a one-month abstinence period. The research is embedded in the Hungarian context of drinking habits, culture, society, and alcohol policy. Methods: This qualitative study comprised the thematic analysis of 23 participants' diaries, reported twice a week for 30 days (in November 2017), to identify and understand the common experiences of temporary sobriety. Results: Three main themes emerged from the analysis: challenge, community, and relationship toward alcohol and abstinence. Results showed that there are no categorical differences between successful and non-successful participants. Conclusions: The present research demonstrated that during the challenge, rather than simply saying 'no' to alcohol, participants utilized other refusal strategies to avoid social confrontation.
Background: Temporary abstinence from alcohol as a challenge could support self-knowledge, self-care, and health consciousness in several ways. Objectives: The present study explored Dry November participants' personal experiences and coping strategies during a one-month abstinence period. The research is embedded in the Hungarian context of drinking habits, culture, society, and alcohol policy. Methods: This qualitative study comprised the thematic analysis of 23 participants' diaries, reported twice a week for 30 days (in November 2017), to identify and understand the common experiences of temporary sobriety. Results: Three main themes emerged from the analysis: challenge, community, and relationship toward alcohol and abstinence. Results showed that there are no categorical differences between successful and non-successful participants. Conclusions: The present research demonstrated that during the challenge, rather than simply saying 'no' to alcohol, participants utilized other refusal strategies to avoid social confrontation.