Aims: To investigate the narratives of in- and outpatients at mental health and somatic hospitals, who suffer from alcohol use disorders (AUD) but have never sought AUD treatment. More specifically, to understand how the individuals view their alcohol use and explore their reasons for not seeking treatment. Methods: Individuals suffering from AUD were recruited at somatic and mental health hospitals. The study was qualitative, based on semi-structured individual interviews. A narrative analysis was performed. A total of six patients participated: three recruited at a mental health hospital, three from a somatic hospital. Results: The individuals described how heavy alcohol use had always characterised their lives; it was part of their surroundings and it added to their quality of life. Two narrative forms within the individuals’ stories were identified, in which treatment was considered either as a positive option for others but not relevant for themselves, or as representing a threat to the individuals’ autonomy. The participants expressed that they did not believe treatment was relevant for them, and if necessary, they preferred to deal with their heavy drinking themselves. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a broad focus is needed if relatively more individuals suffering from AUD should seek treatment, since they – in spite of clearly suffering from AUD – nevertheless see themselves as heavy drinkers and have not even thought of seeking treatment. Thus, it is not (only) a question about the attractiveness of the treatment offer or due to lack of knowledge about treatment options that patients suffering from AUD do not seek treatment.

目的：调查精神健康和躯体医院住院和门诊患者的叙述，他们患有酒精使用障碍 (AUD)，但从未寻求 AUD 治疗。更具体地说，了解个人如何看待他们的酒精使用并探索他们不寻求治疗的原因。方法：在躯体和精神健康医院招募患有 AUD 的个体。该研究是定性的，基于半结构化的个人访谈。进行了叙述分析。共有六名患者参加：三名在精神健康医院招募，三名来自躯体医院。结果：这些人描述了酗酒是他们生活的特点；这是他们周围环境的一部分，增加了他们的生活质量。确定了个人故事中的两种叙述形式，其中治疗被认为是对其他人的积极选择但与他们自己无关，或者代表对个人自主权的威胁。参与者表示，他们认为治疗与他们无关，如果有必要，他们更愿意自己处理酗酒问题。结论：我们的研究结果表明，如果相对更多的患有 AUD 的人应该寻求治疗，则需要广泛关注，因为尽管他们明显患有 AUD，但仍将自己视为重度饮酒者，甚至没有想过寻求治疗。因此，AUD 患者不寻求治疗不仅仅是（仅）关于治疗提供的吸引力的问题，或者由于缺乏对治疗方案的了解。