Exploring indicators of natural recovery from alcohol and drug use problems: findings from the life in recovery survey in Flanders

Research has established natural recovery (NR) as an important pathway to substance use recovery. Studies investigating correlates of NR have mainly focused on demographic and substance use variables rather than life circumstances. This study seeks to better understand the phenomenon of natural reco...

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Published in:Substance abuse treatment, prevention and policy prevention and policy, 2024-04, Vol.19 (1), p.22-10, Article 22
Main Authors: De Meyer, Florian, Zerrouk, Amine, De Ruysscher, Clara, Vanderplasschen, Wouter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictions
Alcohol
Alcoholism
Behavior, Addictive
Cannabis
Care and treatment
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diagnosis
Drug abuse
Drug use
Education
Ethanol
Humans
Questionnaires
Recovery capital
Risk factors
Self help
Self-change
Social capital
Social networks
Sociodemographics
Spontaneous recovery
Substance abuse
Substance use disorder
Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology
Support groups
Treatment
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Summary:Research has established natural recovery (NR) as an important pathway to substance use recovery. Studies investigating correlates of NR have mainly focused on demographic and substance use variables rather than life circumstances. This study seeks to better understand the phenomenon of natural recovery by (i) validating the international scientific literature concerning demographic and substance use indicators of NR in Flanders and (ii) assessing the additional explanatory power of recovery strengths and barriers during active addiction, controlling for demographic and substance use covariates. A total of 343 persons in recovery from alcohol or drug use problems (≥ 3 months) completed an online cross-sectional survey in Flanders. Participants in NR and in recovery after following treatment were compared using multivariate linear regression models. Reasons for not following treatment were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Higher education level, lower severity of dependence, and cannabis use as the main problem substance (vs. alcohol) were statistically significant (p 
ISSN:1747-597X
1747-597X
DOI:10.1186/s13011-024-00604-y