Search

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the lived experiences of meaningful relationships among persons in 12-step recovery. The distinction of recovery is important as our study focused less on relational patterns during active substance use and more on their perception within their recovery. This phenomenological study followed Van Manen's six step approach of qualitative research. Data were collected from 7 participants through semi-structured one-on-one participant interviews. Participants were asked open-ended questions regarding their SUD recovery (e.g., "What is your experience of your capacity to be in meaningful relationships?"). Resulting from the analysis, four themes were extracted from the overarching theme of the Capacity for Meaningful Relationships in Recovery. The four emergent themes included Building the Foundation in Recovery, Sharing a Common Ground of Support, Giving Back – Helping Others, and Bridging Recovery to Family – The Biggest Accomplishment. Limitations and future research are discussed as well as the potential impact and application of these findings as they relate to recovery research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a significant need for eating disorder support on college campuses. Collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) are providing specialized support for students in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) but struggle to support students with eating disorders, despite the high co-occurring rates of SUDs and eating disorders. This is a brief report describing Texas Tech University's experience in delivering eating disorder support in their CRP, outlining the challenges they have recognized, and providing recommendations and resources for overcoming them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of participants' key attributes of sustaining long-term recovery as an emergent adult in college. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to identify recurrent themes by analyzing participants' experiences. Eight participants were recruited from a collegiate recovery program at a university in the southwest United States. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were transcribed verbatim. Data analysis followed IPA guidelines and procedures. Four superordinate themes emerged through the analysis process: Positive Recovery Identity Shift, Achievements and Accomplishments, Transformation of Agency, and Spirituality and Choice. Findings, which were integrated into the discussion, focus on relevant addiction recovery research implications. Limitations, future research implications, and clinical applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use disorders (SUDS) are highly prevalent chronic health conditions that have dire impacts on the health and wellbeing of not only the individual with an SUD, but on their family members as well. This is important as the family is often one of the most important support groups for an individual seeking recovery from an SUD. The present study provides an update regarding a previously published and implemented multifamily group curriculum (MFGC) for family members of those with an SUD. More specifically, changes to the curriculum are highlighted, and results from data analyses on important factors associated with individual and family member recovery are shared and discussed. There is evidence of this updated MFGC continuing to be an effective intervention for family members with a loved-one seeking recovery from an SUD; however, greater and more long-term support for family members is still needed. Additionally, results of this study showed that change in important factors associated with family member wellbeing and family recovery is associated with relapse status of the loved-one seeking recovery from a SUD at a follow-up time point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) growth is dependent upon research that addresses the value of CRPs. Given that CRP research is relatively new, there are barriers related to justifying the establishment and growth of CRPs. One barrier to CRP expansion is the lack of cost-benefit analyses within the field. Understanding students and their wellbeing with CRPs is a focal point overshadowing the importance of financial implications even though finances are integral to CRP health and longevity. Thus, it is imperative to identify these financial implications in order establish and convey the value of a CRP. This article reports on a cost-benefit analysis completed using the national averages of cost and benefits related to CRPs. Findings reinforce the value of CRPs and show the monetary impact a CRP can add to an institution of higher learning. This cost-benefit analysis was developed for institutions of higher education using available national data. Conclusions, limitations, and future implications are discussed. In addition, a cost-benefit tool was developed to be utilized by those who wish to develop a CRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) thrives in isolation. Recovery requires healthy and supportive relationships in order to heal and grow. Many individuals in alcohol recovery find it challenging to establish and maintain meaningful romantic relationships, yet little research has examined this concept. With a particular focus on relationship insecurity and relationship safety, this study explored persons' experiences of romantic relationships in AUD recovery. Twenty-three participant interviews were analyzed. A conventional content analysis was first used to inductively uncover categories and then a summative content analysis was utilized to examine textual frequencies. Categories, themes and coded frequencies informed the overall analyses. Three main categories emerged with themes explaining participants' relationship experiences (Identifying Unsafe Relationships: negative and positive impact of conflict; Addressing Relationship Insecurity: anxiety and avoidance; and Establishing Relationship Safety: trust and recovery). Although there were several limitations, this study offers new insight on romantic relationships in AUD recovery. We emphasize the importance of establishing safety and addressing maladaptive attachment behaviors in order to better navigate toward healthy and supportive romantic relationships in recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores how suffering and lack of choice play a role in suicide among individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions. People who experience profound suffering from both disorders often seek support from recovery groups, family and friends, faith communities and healthcare professionals. To help those who have attempted or experienced suicide-related thoughts and behaviors, the hope is that this reflection opens the doors for deeper conversation and can offer additional avenues of support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use disorders (SUDs) significantly impact family systems, yet have often been treated as an individual problem. Nevertheless, family inclusion has become a treatment priority although limited research exists regarding family members. Specifically, research has yet to examine neuropsychological processes associated with family members. This study examined prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation of family members using functional near-infrared spectroscopy as they viewed images of a loved-one with a SUD. Activation patterns of an experimental group were compared against those of a control group and showed significant differences in PFC responses. Implications are discussed and demonstrate the importance of family member recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study which explores the experience of emerging adults through phenomenological methodology and how they perceived two key elements of recovery, namely, hope and healthy coping, from addiction.

Background: Addiction science has primarily utilized self-report, continued substance use, and relapse factors to explore the process of recovery. However, the entry into successful abstinence substantially reduces our assessment abilities. Advances in neuroscience may be the key to objective understanding, treating, and monitoring long-term success in addiction recovery. Objectives: To explore functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) as a viable technique in the assessment of addiction-cue reactivity. Specifically, prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation to alcohol cues was explored among formally alcohol-dependent individuals, across varying levels of successful abstinence. The aim of the investigation was to identify patterns of PFC activation change consistent with duration of abstinence. Methods: A total of 15 formally alcohol-dependent individuals, with abstinence durations ranging from 1 month to 10 years, viewed alcohol images during fNIR PFC assessment. Participants also subjectively rated the same images for affect and arousal level. Results: Subjective ratings of alcohol cues did not significantly correlate with duration of abstinence. As expected, days of abstinence did not significantly correlate with neutral cue fNIR reactivity. However, for alcohol cues, fNIR results showed increased days of abstinence was associated with decreased activation within the dorsolateral and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex regions. Conclusions: The present results suggest that fNIR may be a viable tool in the assessment of addiction-cue reactivity. Results also support previous findings on the importance of dorsolateral and dorsomedial PFC in alcohol-cue activation. The findings build upon these past results suggesting that fNIR-assessed activation may represent a robust biological marker of successful addiction recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large body of research exists on the causes, effects/consequences, and treatment of substance use disorder (SUD). However, studies on recovery from SUD, including its definition, factors, and sustainability, are lacking. The purpose of this study is to identify and assess the factors of recovery from SUD by developing and testing the Hope and Coping in Recovery Measure (HCRM). A principal components analysis revealed two distinct factors (hope and coping) to be present in the process of recovery from SUD. Implications for future research on the recovery process and the HCRM are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than ever, people are seeking substance use disorder treatment during the adolescent and young adult stages of development. Developmentally, many of these young adults new to recovery are in the process of making career decisions that may require attendance at a college or university. However, the collegiate environment is not conducive to a recovery lifestyle. Since the 1980s, several colleges and universities have implemented Collegiate Recovery Programs, offering students “safe havens” where they can obtain support from other students in recovery and from staff while they pursue a college education. The collegiate recovery programs have been successful at graduating students and supporting their recovery. Today, there are more than 75 collegiate recovery programs already established or in the process of development, serving more than 500 students across the United States. Although the various programs offer different types of services, each one seems to be having some type of success based on the research thus far. This article describes the emerging adult population of recovering college students, the history of Collegiate Recovery Programs, and what they offer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The substance abuse field has long recognized the need to have the family and other support persons involved in an individual's recovery effort; unfortunately most mental health facilities still lack family education services of any type for a variety of reasons. This pilot study focused on utilizing a structured family group in an outpatient alcohol/other drug treatment setting. It represents a preliminary effort to study patients' and family members' experiences and level of satisfaction with the group process. Participants reported having an overall positive experience within the multi-family group. The data suggests that being able to share in an open environment and family/support participation in the group were more important than the specific topic that was covered. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with their counselors, the group process, and the positive impact the group had on their marital and/or family relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timely problem identification/assessment is one of the core technologies of employee assistance programs (EAPs). Historically, assessment primarily involved assessing individual problems. Increasingly, EAPs are expected to assess couple, family, and even organizational problems. Although the most common methods of assessment are qualitative in nature (e.g., personal interview), there are several advantages to utilizing quantitative assessments as a method of gathering information from clients regarding individual problems, relationship dynamics, and organizational functioning. In this article the authors discuss the merits of quantitative assessment in EAP service delivery and describe their use and development of quantitative measures for assessing individuals, couples, families, and organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the literature on team-building, including its application to employee assistance programs and the relevant theories discussed within the field. In addition, the paper applies family systems theory, particularly experiential family therapy and structural family therapy, to team enhancing. The authors outline a model for team-enhancing that employee assistance professionals can use directly with the organizations they serve. The team-enhancing model consists of three phases: (1) Initial Contact and Assessment; (2) Team Assembly: and (3) Accountability and Follow-Up. The first phase is brief, with no sub-stages. Phase two consists of four stages. The third phase incorporates an accountability stage that offers the option of convening future team assemblies (i.e., meetings) to continue the team-enhancing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compares the original Satisfaction with Organization Scale (SOS) conducted with employees of distressed organizations to another sample gathered from employees who work in non-distressed organizations. Evidence and reliability of the SOS; Potential cut-off scores for the SOS; Key step in evaluating employee satisfaction with employee assistance work organizations.

Organizational interventions are emerging as a core service offered by many EAPs. This article discusses the revision of an existing measure of life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale) to measure employees' perceptions of satisfaction with their work organization. The revised instrument (Satisfaction with Organization Scale) appears to be useful as part of the process of conducting organizational interventions within EAP settings as a way to measure changes in employee perceptions over time. Data were collected as part of three interventions requested by organizations that have contracts with an EAP in West Texas. Results suggest that the revised instrument has evidence of reliability and validity. The benefits of using such an instrument as part of organizational interventions, the need for further testing of the new measure (e.g., validity analyses and norming), and the call for the development and revision of additional measures are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]