Differences in addiction and recovery gains according to gender – gender barriers and specific differences in overall strengths growth

Abstract

Background There is growing evidence on the importance of a gendered understanding of recovery. Gender differences have been reported in relation to the nature and extent of substance use, pathways to and through substance use disorder and recovery capital acquisition and maintenance. There is little existing research on factors associated with recovery capital growth by gender. Methods The current paper uses the European Life in Recovery database to assess specific domains of the Strengths and Barriers Recovery Scale (SABRS) that best predict growth of recovery capital amongst people in recovery from drug addiction. The 1313 participants were drawn from the REC-PATH study and recruited by the Recovery Users Network (RUN) from across Europe. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify relationships between specific SABRS items and gender, as well as differences in the dimensions of the SABRS scale most likely to predict recovery capital growth by gender. Results Between their time in active addiction and in recovery, females show greater growth in strengths, despite females reporting fewer recovery strengths during active addiction than males, and males have greater reductions in barriers to recovery compared to females. Multivariate analyses show that strengths specifically related to prosocial meaningful activities are found to be highly significant for growth of recovery capital amongst males, whereas strengths related to both prosocial meaningful activities and general health management seem particularly relevant for growth of recovery capital amongst females. Conclusions We conclude that this further demonstration of gender differences in recovery pathways should suggest gender-specific approaches adopted in recovery community organisations to address these different needs.

Improvements in recovery capital are associated with decreased alcohol use in a primary opioid use disorder treatment‐seeking cohort

“…Previous correlates of higher RC have been lower‐risk substance use (as compared to higher‐risk substance use), 15 stable housing, 18 and employment 18 . Predictors of RC growth have also differed by sex, with work from our group showing that males exhibit differential growth driven by greater improvements in domains of physical and psychological health (under review), and existing research suggesting that RC growth in females is predicted by self‐reported increased focus on their overall health and community involvement, while males is predicted by a greater participation in meaningful activities, such as employment or education 30 . Ultimately it is unknown if investing in these interventions prospectively would be an effective tool and requires further study.…”

The Power, Capacity, and Resiliency of Women in Substance Use Disorder Recovery to Overcome Multiple and Complex Housing Transitions

“…This article adds to a small but growing body of evidence regarding gender differences in recovery (Abreu Minero et al 2022;Collinson and Hall 2021;Best et al 2020), particularly highlighting variations in housing transitions of women during the recovery process (Martinelli et al 2020;Straaten et al 2016). The research question explored the application of a recovery capital framework to better understand their housing transitions.…”

“…Abreu Minero et al (2022) found that a significantly higher proportion of women in recovery than men report better management of general health, daily life tasks, and engagement in prosocial meaningful activities. However, women reported significantly higher rates of persistent barriers related to psychological health and domestic violence compared to men, whereas significantly higher rates of criminal justice barriers were found among men.…”

Recovery Capital Correlates With Less Methamphetamine Use and Crime in the Community

“…34 Existing research has also noted sex-based differences in RC growth, with predictors of growth in males being increased meaningful activities (like employment and education), whereas predictors in females were increased community involvement and improvements in overall health. 35 It remains speculative whether investing in RC prospectively would be an effective long-term intervention and requires additional study.…”

“…Investments in human capital through stable housing, such as Housing First Interventions, have shown significant decreases in emergency department visits and frequency of hospitalization; however, there were no differences in substance use 34 . Existing research has also noted sex-based differences in RC growth, with predictors of growth in males being increased meaningful activities (like employment and education), whereas predictors in females were increased community involvement and improvements in overall health 35 . It remains speculative whether investing in RC prospectively would be an effective long-term intervention and requires additional study.…”