Exploring indicators of natural recovery from alcohol and drug use problems: findings from the life in recovery survey in Flanders
- Resource Type
- article
- Authors
- Florian De Meyer; Amine Zerrouk; Clara De Ruysscher; Wouter Vanderplasschen
- Source
- Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, Vol 19, Iss 1, Pp 1-10 (2024)
- Subject
- Substance use disorder
Self-change
Spontaneous recovery
Treatment
Recovery capital
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
HV1-9960
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1747-597X
Abstract Introduction 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. Methods 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. Results Higher education level, lower severity of dependence, and cannabis use as the main problem substance (vs. alcohol) were statistically significant (p