Aim: The present study investigates if and to what degree self-compassion, length ofsobriety, purpose and meaning in life is associated with a sense of longing foralcohol, for former alcoholics. It also investigates reasons former alcoholics give fortheir continued sobriety.Method: Data was gathered with an online questionnaire from relevant Danishchannels for former alcoholics such as treatment centers and Facebook groups.Mixed methods were used. The measurements were the Danish Self CompassionScale – short form (SCS-SF12DK), the Danish Purpose In Life Test – short form,asking about the degree and frequency of the former alcoholic’s sense of longing foralcohol, and the reasons that they do not start drinking again. A total of 232 soberparticipants completed the questionnaire.Results: Over 90% of the participants reported not to suffer from any sense oflonging for alcohol from alcohol abstinence, showing that this in general is not anissue in sobriety. For the small variance in the sense of deprivation, small negativecorrelations were found -.27 < r < -.20, p < 0,05 with purpose in life, self-compassionpositive subscale for self-compassion (mindfulness, common humanity, andself-kindness), negative subscale for self-compassion (self-judgment, isolation, andover-identification), and length of sobriety.The qualitative data were interpreted through a thematic analysis, and sorted intothree different themes and one sub-theme, being: “The fear of losing one’sexistence”, “I remember hell” (sub-theme), “In the present life I have the choice”,and “I no longer have any need for alcohol”.Implication: The quantitative data can be used to instil hope in a newly sober client,due to the general finding that when asked, a sense of longing for alcohol is almostexclusively not an issue for the sober alcoholic. The qualitative data gives anemphasis on the agency that can be acquired through knowing where one ispowerless and where the energy can be laid. This can be important for the clinicalpractitioner to have in mind. Aim: The present study investigates if and to what degree self-compassion, length ofsobriety, purpose and meaning in life is associated with a sense of longing foralcohol, for former alcoholics. It also investigates reasons former alcoholics give fortheir continued sobriety.Method: Data was gathered with an online questionnaire from relevant Danishchannels for former alcoholics such as treatment centers and Facebook groups.Mixed methods were used. The measurements were the Danish Self CompassionScale – short form (SCS-SF12DK), the Danish Purpose In Life Test – short form,asking about the degree and frequency of the former alcoholic’s sense of longing foralcohol, and the reasons that they do not start drinking again. A total of 232 soberparticipants completed the questionnaire.Results: Over 90% of the participants reported not to suffer from any sense oflonging for alcohol from alcohol abstinence, showing that this in general is not anissue in sobriety. For the small variance in the sense of deprivation, small negativecorrelations were found -.27 < r < -.20, p < 0,05 with purpose in life, self-compassionpositive subscale for self-compassion (mindfulness, common humanity, andself-kindness), negative subscale for self-compassion (self-judgment, isolation, andover-identification), and length of sobriety.The qualitative data were interpreted through a thematic analysis, and sorted intothree different themes and one sub-theme, being: “The fear of losing one’sexistence”, “I remember hell” (sub-theme), “In the present life I have the choice”,and “I no longer have any need for alcohol”.Implication: The quantitative data can be used to instil hope in a newly sober client,due to the general finding that when asked, a sense of longing for alcohol is almostexclusively not an issue for the sober alcoholic. The qualitative data gives anemphasis on the agency that can be acquired through knowing where one ispowerless and where the energy can be laid. This can be important for the clinicalpractitioner to have in mind.