On being "in recovery": A national study of prevalence and correlates of adopting or not adopting a recovery identity among individuals resolving drug and alcohol problems.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample
PubMed 30070538 · doi:10.1037/adb0000386
What was done
A cross-sectional nationally representative survey screened 39,809 individuals to identify 1,995 adults resolving a significant alcohol or other drug (AOD) problem. The authors conducted weighted quantitative analyses to estimate the prevalence and correlates of adopting a recovery identity, along with qualitative analyses examining reasons for recovery identity adoption or non-adoption.
What was found
Among individuals resolving an AOD problem, 45.1% currently identified as being in recovery, 39.5% had never identified as being in recovery, and 15.4% were no longer in recovery. Predictors of identifying as in recovery included participation in formal treatment, mutual-help group participation, and a history of being diagnosed with AOD or other psychiatric disorders. Qualitative themes for not adopting or stopping the recovery identity included low AOD problem severity, viewing the problem as already resolved, and having little difficulty stopping substance use.
Why it matters
More than half of individuals who overcome significant substance use problems do not identify with the recovery label, particularly those who resolve problems without formal clinical or mutual-help services. Public health campaigns and interventions may need broader language, such as "problem resolution," to effectively reach and engage this population.
Limits
The study is cross-sectional and relies on self-reported history of problem resolution and identity status. The abstract does not provide exact effect sizes, odds ratios, or confidence intervals for the predictors of recovery identity adoption.
Cited by
- supports Surveys indicate that approximately 24 million Americans are in recovery from substance addiction.