SAMHSA Announces National Survey on Drug Use and Health NSDUH Results Detailing Mental Illness and Substance Use Levels in 2021

However, the changing drug supply may challenge the validity of these findings, as the average THC concentration has increased annually since 1970 [39]. Many participants reported previous treatment or 12-step participation, noting that these settings viewed their goals as incompatible with the settings’ conceptualization of successful recovery [56]. Upholding the belief that abstinence is the foundation of recovery, as many treatment and mutual aid settings do, discounts the substantial growth and improvement of people who, despite non-abstinence, recover from their addictions [2]. Equating abstinence with recovery reinforces stigmatizing conceptualizations of this population by differentiating between those who have and have not changed their substance consumption “enough,” or those who do and do not count as “recovered” [58, 59]. For some people, committing to complete abstinence is not desirable or is too daunting a prospect before beginning treatment.

Many people desire only to moderate use and bring it under control. In fact, there is growing support for what is called harm reduction, which values any moves toward reducing the destructive consequences of substance abuse. Researchers find that taking incremental steps to change behavior often motivates people to eventually choose abstinence.

Who Should Be Included at an Intervention?

This realization affirmed the importance of this methodology; a different approach (e.g., surveys or more structured interviews), would have limited participants’ ability to shape the preliminary theory of non-abstinence recovery with substitution. The interviewer [CAB] had worked in addiction settings, was trained in qualitative methods, and had conducted previous interviews with people in recovery, as well as people with current addictions. During this study, a qualitative scholar https://ecosoberhouse.com/ provided methodological supervision related to study design, interviewing, and data analysis. Co-authors [AYW and MA], both experts in addiction treatment, offered guidance on the inclusion criteria, recruitment strategies, the interview protocol, and analysis. Cannabis use may benefit some adults who are reducing their opioid or stimulant use, especially during early recovery. The addiction field’s focus on abstinence has limited our knowledge about non-abstinent recovery.

• As with most chronic conditions such as heart failure and kidney disease, most people with addiction—including alcohol—get better once connected to treatment and care.
• Co-authors [AYW and MA], both experts in addiction treatment, offered guidance on the inclusion criteria, recruitment strategies, the interview protocol, and analysis.
• “There was a time that I was part of the problem with this community,” he said.
• It may include clinical treatment, medications, faith-based approaches, peer support, family support, self-care, and other approaches.
• Recovery signals a dramatic shift in the expectation for positive outcomes for individuals who experience mental and substance use conditions or the co-occurring of the two.

The prevailing myth in society is that “problem drinkers” have a moral weakness. ‘They’re not tough enough’ or ‘they don’t want to get better’ are commonly held misperceptions among family members, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/steps-to-successful-drug-addiction-recovery/ cops and doctors—myself included, until I learned about alcohol’s effects on the brain. In low to moderate amounts, wine or beer for instance can help people feel happier, relaxed and social.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)

During focused coding, the authors identified the salient processes and actions that explained motives for cannabis use, the physical and psychological effects of cannabis, and the role of cannabis use in participants’ lives. Finally, during axial coding, authors identified the relationships across themes to build an explanatory model for cannabis substitution. Research and clinical experience have identified a number of factors that promote recovery. Another is reorienting the brain circuitry of desire—finding or rediscovering a passion or pursuit that gives meaning to life and furnishes personal goals that are capable of supplanting the desire for drugs. A third is establishing and maintaining a strong sense of connection to others; support helps people stay on track, and it helps retune the neural circuits of desire and goal-pursuit.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, these groups that were often out of reach to many are now available online around the clock through video meetings. Such groups are not considered part of a formal treatment plan, but they are considered as useful in conjunction with professional treatment. Going through detox is a crucial step in recovery, and it’s these first few weeks that are arguably most critical because they are when the risk of relapse is highest. Neuroscientist Adi Jaffe, Ph.D., who himself recovered from addiction, outlines five steps. Saying a mantra, substituting thoughts of recovery goals, praying, reading something recovery-related, reaching out to someone supportive—all are useful tactics. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.