l
Recovery is defined as: The process of improved physical, psychological, and social well-being and health following cessation or reductions in substance use.
Witbrodt and colleagues used data from the “What is Recovery?” project, an internet-based survey of 9341 people who identify as being in recovery, having recovered, in medication-assisted recovery (e.g., taking methadone), or having had a problem with alcohol or drugs (but no longer do), to see how definitions of recovery distinguish the very people they refer to.
The survey asked individuals to rate 39 elements of recovery as they pertain to their personal definition of recovery with the following scale:
The recovery elements were then grouped into conceptual domains—abstinence, spirituality, essentials of recovery, enriched recovery, and uncommon elements—for the purpose of the analysis. Elements that were rated as a 1 (definitely belongs) or a 2 (somewhat belongs) were considered to be personally endorsed by participants. The authors derived five classes of participants from the survey data: 12-step traditionalist, 12-step enthusiast, Secular, Self-reliant, and Atypical. The sample (n = 9341) was over half female, and about three quarters of participants were over age 35. Alcohol was the primary problem substance. Three-quarters self-identified as “in recovery”, and most participants were in their self-defined status of recovery for over 5 years.
12-step traditionalists (n = 4912):
12-step enthusiasts (n = 2014):
Secular class members (n = 980):
Self-reliant class members (n = 1040):
Atypical class members (n = 382):
There are approximately 25 million individuals in remission from substance use disorders in the United States alone.
This study provided an important framework for distinguishing between different profiles of recovering individuals through the creation of 5 classes.
As treatment programs and methodologies change over time, so may definitions of recovery. For example, 12-step traditionalists, the largest class in the study, represents an older generation that focuses on following the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. As non-12-step mutual-help groups (e.g., SMART Recovery) become more accessible, recovering individuals may be more likely categorized in the secular group, which in this sample, was generally younger and had fewer years in recovery.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the atypical class constituted the smallest proportion of the sample and had the lowest endorsement for most elements, which points to a group of individuals that is hard to target but who may still be in need of supportive services.
With this greater understanding of what recovery means to certain individuals, continuing care and supportive services might be tailored towards specific audiences.
Future studies may look at replicating this methodology with survey data from other populations to see if participants cluster into similar classes. Since 59% of the study population reported alcohol only as their primary substance of choice, it is important to investigate definitions of recovery in populations using primarily other drugs.
Witbrodt, J., Kaskutas, L. A., & Grella, C. E. (2015). How do recovery definitions distinguish recovering individuals? Five typologies. Drug and alcohol dependence, 148, 109-117.
l
Recovery is defined as: The process of improved physical, psychological, and social well-being and health following cessation or reductions in substance use.
Witbrodt and colleagues used data from the “What is Recovery?” project, an internet-based survey of 9341 people who identify as being in recovery, having recovered, in medication-assisted recovery (e.g., taking methadone), or having had a problem with alcohol or drugs (but no longer do), to see how definitions of recovery distinguish the very people they refer to.
The survey asked individuals to rate 39 elements of recovery as they pertain to their personal definition of recovery with the following scale:
The recovery elements were then grouped into conceptual domains—abstinence, spirituality, essentials of recovery, enriched recovery, and uncommon elements—for the purpose of the analysis. Elements that were rated as a 1 (definitely belongs) or a 2 (somewhat belongs) were considered to be personally endorsed by participants. The authors derived five classes of participants from the survey data: 12-step traditionalist, 12-step enthusiast, Secular, Self-reliant, and Atypical. The sample (n = 9341) was over half female, and about three quarters of participants were over age 35. Alcohol was the primary problem substance. Three-quarters self-identified as “in recovery”, and most participants were in their self-defined status of recovery for over 5 years.
12-step traditionalists (n = 4912):
12-step enthusiasts (n = 2014):
Secular class members (n = 980):
Self-reliant class members (n = 1040):
Atypical class members (n = 382):
There are approximately 25 million individuals in remission from substance use disorders in the United States alone.
This study provided an important framework for distinguishing between different profiles of recovering individuals through the creation of 5 classes.
As treatment programs and methodologies change over time, so may definitions of recovery. For example, 12-step traditionalists, the largest class in the study, represents an older generation that focuses on following the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. As non-12-step mutual-help groups (e.g., SMART Recovery) become more accessible, recovering individuals may be more likely categorized in the secular group, which in this sample, was generally younger and had fewer years in recovery.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the atypical class constituted the smallest proportion of the sample and had the lowest endorsement for most elements, which points to a group of individuals that is hard to target but who may still be in need of supportive services.
With this greater understanding of what recovery means to certain individuals, continuing care and supportive services might be tailored towards specific audiences.
Future studies may look at replicating this methodology with survey data from other populations to see if participants cluster into similar classes. Since 59% of the study population reported alcohol only as their primary substance of choice, it is important to investigate definitions of recovery in populations using primarily other drugs.
Witbrodt, J., Kaskutas, L. A., & Grella, C. E. (2015). How do recovery definitions distinguish recovering individuals? Five typologies. Drug and alcohol dependence, 148, 109-117.
l
Recovery is defined as: The process of improved physical, psychological, and social well-being and health following cessation or reductions in substance use.
Witbrodt and colleagues used data from the “What is Recovery?” project, an internet-based survey of 9341 people who identify as being in recovery, having recovered, in medication-assisted recovery (e.g., taking methadone), or having had a problem with alcohol or drugs (but no longer do), to see how definitions of recovery distinguish the very people they refer to.
The survey asked individuals to rate 39 elements of recovery as they pertain to their personal definition of recovery with the following scale:
The recovery elements were then grouped into conceptual domains—abstinence, spirituality, essentials of recovery, enriched recovery, and uncommon elements—for the purpose of the analysis. Elements that were rated as a 1 (definitely belongs) or a 2 (somewhat belongs) were considered to be personally endorsed by participants. The authors derived five classes of participants from the survey data: 12-step traditionalist, 12-step enthusiast, Secular, Self-reliant, and Atypical. The sample (n = 9341) was over half female, and about three quarters of participants were over age 35. Alcohol was the primary problem substance. Three-quarters self-identified as “in recovery”, and most participants were in their self-defined status of recovery for over 5 years.
12-step traditionalists (n = 4912):
12-step enthusiasts (n = 2014):
Secular class members (n = 980):
Self-reliant class members (n = 1040):
Atypical class members (n = 382):
There are approximately 25 million individuals in remission from substance use disorders in the United States alone.
This study provided an important framework for distinguishing between different profiles of recovering individuals through the creation of 5 classes.
As treatment programs and methodologies change over time, so may definitions of recovery. For example, 12-step traditionalists, the largest class in the study, represents an older generation that focuses on following the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. As non-12-step mutual-help groups (e.g., SMART Recovery) become more accessible, recovering individuals may be more likely categorized in the secular group, which in this sample, was generally younger and had fewer years in recovery.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the atypical class constituted the smallest proportion of the sample and had the lowest endorsement for most elements, which points to a group of individuals that is hard to target but who may still be in need of supportive services.
With this greater understanding of what recovery means to certain individuals, continuing care and supportive services might be tailored towards specific audiences.
Future studies may look at replicating this methodology with survey data from other populations to see if participants cluster into similar classes. Since 59% of the study population reported alcohol only as their primary substance of choice, it is important to investigate definitions of recovery in populations using primarily other drugs.
Witbrodt, J., Kaskutas, L. A., & Grella, C. E. (2015). How do recovery definitions distinguish recovering individuals? Five typologies. Drug and alcohol dependence, 148, 109-117.
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