The purpose of this qualitative study is to identify stresses and coping of recovering alcoholics in communities.

Individual interviews were conducted with a total of 8 recovering alcoholics. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Two categories and six subcategories for each category were derived. Two categories were ‘life problems and stresses encountered without drinking’ and ‘constant change efforts and growth’. The identified stresses of the participants were summarized as ‘a body weakened by drinking’, ‘constant vigilance against the ongoing temptation of drinking’, ‘painful regrets for the past’, ‘difficulties in building new relationships’, ‘a lonely life left alone’, ‘a long way to self-reliance’. In addition, the revealed helpful factors in coping with the stresses were ‘strong power by being together’, ‘strong family support’, ‘firm wills constantly strengthened’, ‘healing power of letting-go’, ‘awareness through learning’, ‘participation in various activities to replace drinking’.

Participants were experiencing various stresses caused by physical, mental and social problems in their recovery process and trying to overcome the difficulties by applying various methods. The results of this study may provide significant information to prevent relapse and maintain the recovery process of alcoholics.