Table 2 Themes and Illustrative Quotes for Dropout Items

1. Fear (n = 12)

• “Scared to tell others my story.”

• “I was afraid I was going to stay angry and relapse”^a

• “I was overwhelmed with knowing that I would soon have to tell my story. The fear of exposure was almost too much.”

1. Positive anticipation (n = 6)

• “Because I knew it would help me.”

• “Maybe it will help and it did a lot.”

2. Interpersonal concerns (n = 9)

• “I was scared that the group would not keep my story to the group.”^a

• “Because I had trust issues.”

• “I didn’t want to be judged by others.”

2. Group environment (n = 5)

• “The support and encouragement of the group.”

• “I just had a trusting easy feeling after I talked to [the group leaders].”

3. Emotions besides fear (n = 6)

• “I knew it was going to hurt”

• “Embarrassment, shame”

• “Because I was feeling feelings I haven’t felt in a long time”

3. Personal empowerment/ determination (n = 5)

• “I am strong and a survivor.”

• “Dedication to myself and my recovery and victory over my experiences.”

4. Miscellaneous responses (n = 4)

• “Thought that my story wasn’t important.”

• “Too much was going on in my life at the moment.”

4. Desire for change (n = 5)

• “I needed to get it off my shoulders.”

• “Fear of not changing, fear of myself.”

5. Miscellaneous responses (n = 3)

• “I made a commitment plus I think it helped me.”