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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]

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]

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 PUBLISHER]