Posttraumatic growth and recovery from addiction

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.