Life in Recovery in Australia and the United Kingdom: Do Stages of Recovery Differ Across National Boundaries?

Recovery is an established term used to describe positive processes of change concerning problems related to alcohol and other drugs (AOD). The present article investigates first-person experiences of recovery self-identification over time in clients who have completed 12-step programs with a positive outcome (sobriety). The data comprises qualitative interviews with 47 individuals five years after the first post-treatment interview, analyzed in a process inspired by reflexive thematic analysis. Although all the individuals had continued their recovery, their recovery paths and how they identified themselves in relation to their AOD problems had taken different directions. Thus, many of the individuals described their recovery in a broader sense which ranges from abstinence to moderation. Some individuals perceived themselves as no longer in recovery. The multitude of recovery processes described in the study underlines the need for acceptance and respect for individual identity processes. Furthermore, the importance is stressed of supporting an individual's perceptions of how their recovery process should best be outlined. The results should not be interpreted as a critique of the 12-step approach. Instead, there is a need for variety over time in the support and treatment options available for people in need of treatment for AOD problems.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Recovery and identity: a five-year follow-up of persons treated in 12-step-related programs

Greiff

Skogens

2021

“…Persons with longer time in drug addiction recovery are less likely to have housing problems, be involved in crime, use illicit hard drugs and more likely to have work or education. The current study underlines and extends the growing body of knowledge on addiction recovery Best, Savic, et al, 2018;Betty Ford Institute Consensus Panel, 2007;Kaskutas et al, 2014;Kelly & Hoeppner, 2015;Laudet, 2013;Laudet & White, 2010, 2008Mcquaid et al, 2017;White, 2007), by looking at typical life domains associated with long-term recovery and by focusing explicitly on (illicit) drug addiction recovery. Although we did not assess change over time in another way than through retrospective self-report, the results from this study provide a first empirical basis for defining addiction recovery as a gradual and long-term process that includes distinct stages and is related to multiple life domains.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Comparing three stages of addiction recovery: long-term recovery and its relation to housing problems, crime, occupation situation, and substance use

Martinelli

Nagelhout

Bellaert

et al. 2020

Self Cite

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“…However, in recent years, a more holistic concept of addiction recovery has emerged that integrates elements from the mental health field (Davidson and White 2007;Kaskutas et al 2014). Established recovery markers include personal, social and clinical outcomes (Best, Savic, et al, 2018;Dennis, Scott, & Laudet, 2014;Laudet & White, 2010;van der Stel, 2014). As such, addiction recovery is characterized as a long-term developmental pathway with transitions and stages, including early (<1 year), sustained (1-5 years), and stable (>5 years) recovery (Betty Ford Institute 2007; Martinelli et al 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are members of mutual aid groups better equipped for addiction recovery? European cross-sectional study into recovery capital, social networks, and commitment to sobriety

Martinelli

Mheen

Best

et al. 2020

Self Cite

An increasing body of evidence shows that informal mutual aid groups benefit those in addiction recovery. However, attention for mutual aid groups in practice and policy varies internationally and is only recently emerging in continental Europe. Existing evidence is mostly limited to studies of Alcoholics Anonymous groups in the United States. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between membership of a variety of mutual aid groups and recovery capital, participation in social networks and commitment to sobriety for individuals in drug addiction recovery (N=367), living in the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. A convenience sample of participants completed an extensive assessment about their recovery experiences. 69% of participants reported lifetime (ever) membership of different mutual aid groups. Analyses reveal that membership of mutual aid groups is strongly associated with more participation and (self-reported) changes in social networks, greater levels of recovery capital, and a stronger commitment to sobriety. The findings suggest that participation in mutual aid groups may support addiction recovery through multiple mechanisms of change in favor of recovery. These findings highlight how mutual aid support may complement formal addiction treatment.