Posttraumatic growth and recovery from addiction

Abstract

Background: It is well documented that individuals coping with adverse events report both negative outcomes, such as posttraumatic stress symptoms, as well as positive changes, described as posttraumatic growth. Positive changes are also reported in people who have recovered from substance abuse. It seems plausible from the literature that both of these types of positive changes have elements in common. To date, no published studies have examined positive outcomes among people who have recovered from addiction. Objectives: In this study, posttraumatic growth in individuals who were formerly addicted to alcohol or substances, termed ‘addiction-related growth,’ was examined. Addiction-related growth refers to the growth that an individual undergoes as a result of the addiction itself, and the recovery from the addiction. A successful recovery from addiction is associated with positive changes, particularly regarding spirituality and meaning-making, and the construct of addiction-related growth may explain why. Method: This cross-sectional study examined growth among 104 individuals who had recovered from addiction who were recruited from addiction treatment programmes, between February and July 2012. Questionnaires assessed demographics and substance abuse use and treatment, posttraumatic growth (PTGI); social support (Perceived Social Support Questionnaire); and help-seeking (Willingness to Seek Help Scale). Data was analysed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlations, and multiple regression. Results: Results indicated that addiction-related growth is a phenomenon that accurately captures the positive changes experienced as a result of an individual’s struggle with addiction and recovery. This growth was found to be associated with participation in 12-steps programmes, and to be predicted by levels of perceived social support. Conclusions: The results show that recovery from addiction is associated with addiction-related growth. These positive changes, along with the importance of communal social support, resemble the changes that take place as a result of processes described in 12-steps programmes.

Social support and posttraumatic growth in a longitudinal study of people living with HIV: the mediating role of positive affect

“…The aforementioned positive effect of social support on PTG was observed especially after catastrophic traumatic events, such as an earthquake (Jia, Ying, Zhou, Wu, & Chongde, 2015), flood (Dursun, Steger, Bentele, & Schulenberg, 2016) or terrorist attack (Páez, Basabe, Ubillos, & González, 2007). In addition, perceived social support was related to levels of PTG among people who have recovered from addiction (Haroosh & Freedman, 2017). However, the research on social support and PTG in the context of life-threatening illness remains inconclusive.…”

The “black-box” of Treatment. Clients’ Perspective on What Works in Medication-assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.

“…Moreover, the individuals reported undergoing the internal psychological processes of maturation and personal growth like those described in previous research [57,58]. Reading these results in the context of Maslow's motivational theory [30], the different MAT components facilitate the satisfaction of human needs at several levels and is a key to help clients gain a sense of normalcy [59].…”

The “black box” of treatment: Patients’ perspective on what works in opioid maintenance treatment for opioid dependence

“…Moreover, the individuals reported undergoing the internal psychological processes of maturation and personal growth like those described in previous research [ 69 , 70 ], and perceived a change in their life course consistent with Elder’s conceptualization of turning points [ 34 ]. Reading these results in the context of Maslow’s motivational theory [ 39 ], the different OMT components facilitate the satisfaction of human needs at several levels and are a key to helping patients gain a sense of normalcy [ 71 ].…”