The Development of the Commitment to Lifetime Alcohol Abstinence in the Czech Republic: Grounded Theory

Ã?Â?apková K and Roubal J^*

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, Europe

*Corresponding Author : Jan Roubal
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Zeleznicarska 554, Havlickuv Brod, 580 01, Czech Republic, Europe
Tel: 00420731052063
E-mail: jan.roubal.cz@gmail.com

Received: February 15th, 2018 Accepted: April 4th, 2018 Published: April 11th, 2018

Citation: Capková K, Roubal J (2018) The Development of the Commitment to Lifetime Alcohol Abstinence in the Czech Republic: Grounded Theory. J Addict Behav Ther Rehabil 7:1. doi: 10.4172/2324-9005.1000172

Objective: Lifetime abstinence is often an explicit goal in the treatment of alcohol addiction. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on the development process of patients’ commitment to lifetime abstinence. In this study, patient experiences during a 13-week in-patient treatment programme based on Apollinaire’s treatment system, which is widespread in the Czech Republic, were explored. Methods: Patients of the Psychiatric Hospital in Brno participated either in focus groups (N=14) or in regular individual semi-structured interviews every two weeks (N=13). Data triangulation was ensured by including data from individual interviews, focus groups, and patients’ diaries. A grounded analysis was conducted. Results: A Final theory is presented through a sequential model of 4 distinct phases that describe the change of patients’ commitment to lifetime abstinence. The central concept is building self-esteem supported by a process of improving selfefficacy and receiving positive feedback. Conclusion: The research findings are discussed within existing empirical findings in the process of addiction recovery, and research and clinical implications are provided. The results highlight the importance of an individually tailored therapeutic approach, with each model phase serving as a clue guiding clinicians towards a therapy focused on patients’ needs during the development of the commitment to lifetime abstinence.