A qualitative comparative investigation of the role of social recovery capital among early- and late-onset problem drinkers in recovery

Due to late-life stressors some individuals start drinking problematically later in life. Late-onset drinkers comprise one-third of older problem drinkers, yet research on this group regarding recovery is scarce. Because their alcohol problem manifests later in life, late-onset drinkers may have acquired greater reserves of social recovery capital (SRC) than their early-onset counterparts. This study investigates that assumption. Using a qualitative comparative methodology, semi-structured interviews were undertaken on nine early- and nine late-onset problem drinkers in recovery (≥50-years-old). Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyze, interpret and compare the participants’ recovery narratives. The results are presented within the two domains of SRC (social group memberships and family relationships supportive of recovery). Membership of mutual aid groups and peer-based recovery support was present and beneficial to recovery across both groups. Late-onset participants had a greater diversity of social groups than early-onset participants. Late-onset participants had supportive family relationships in recovery, whereas the families of early-onset participants were ambivalent about recovery. The findings suggest that late-onset problem drinkers in recovery have greater reserves and access to SRC than their early-onset counterparts. These findings can inform recovery practitioners and healthcare professionals how recovery is sustained among older problem drinkers.