We describe a phenomenological study that explored the experiences of First Nations and Aboriginal women during their journey of recovery from alcohol abuse. Seven women participated in individual, tape-recorded interviews, during which they described their experiences, yielding written protocols that were thematically analyzed. Results from this study revealed seven predominant themes that included the following: (a) guilt and shame, (b) unresolved core issues, (c) resilience, (d) tenacity, (e) recovery process, (f) family and friends, and (g) tradition and spirituality. Findings and implications for clinicians, administrators, educators, and future research are included.
Keywords: Aboriginal; First Nations; abuse; alcohol; recovery; women.