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The role of addiction treatment in building recovery capital : findings from 2022 life in recovery survey in Flanders, Belgium

Florian De Meyer (UGent) , Clara De Ruysscher (UGent) , Griet Roets (UGent) and Wouter Vanderplasschen (UGent)
(2024) JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES.
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Abstract
Introduction: This paper examines life experiences before and during addiction recovery in a large sample of treated and untreated persons in Flanders (Belgium). Methods: A total of 343 participants in recovery from alcohol and/or illicit drug problems (≥3 months) completed the 2022 ‘Life in Recovery’ survey online. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their engagement with treatment services: (1) unassisted recovery, (2) mutual aid support only, (3) formal treatment only, and (4) formal treatment and mutual aid support. The questionnaire was supplemented with open-ended questions about facilitators and barriers to recovery. Findings: Group comparisons revealed significant differences in the severity of dependence and living conditions (recovery strengths and barriers, SABRS) during addiction between those in recovery without treatment and the treatment groups. However, similarities in strengths, barriers, and quality of life during recovery were observed across all groups. Differences in barriers during recovery were attributed to variations in initial conditions rather than treatment engagement. The complementary qualitative analysis revealed that the four clusters experienced similar factors as facilitating and hindering recovery. Discussion: These findings suggest that while various pathways can lead to recovery, those involving formal treatment and mutual aid support may be particularly valuable for individuals facing greater initial barriers and fewer strengths during addiction, highlighting treatment as an important but not universally necessary source of recovery capital.
Keywords
substance use disorder, addiction, self-change, treatment, mutual-aid, support, recovery capital, DEPENDENCE SCALE SDS, SEVERITY, ALCOHOL, DRUG, PATHWAYS, HEROIN, RELIABILITY, POPULATION, VALIDITY, COCAINE

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Citation

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MLA
De Meyer, Florian, et al. “The Role of Addiction Treatment in Building Recovery Capital : Findings from 2022 Life in Recovery Survey in Flanders, Belgium.” JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES, 2024, doi:10.1177/00220426241283688.
APA
De Meyer, F., De Ruysscher, C., Roets, G., & Vanderplasschen, W. (2024). The role of addiction treatment in building recovery capital : findings from 2022 life in recovery survey in Flanders, Belgium. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220426241283688
Chicago author-date
De Meyer, Florian, Clara De Ruysscher, Griet Roets, and Wouter Vanderplasschen. 2024. “The Role of Addiction Treatment in Building Recovery Capital : Findings from 2022 Life in Recovery Survey in Flanders, Belgium.” JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220426241283688.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
De Meyer, Florian, Clara De Ruysscher, Griet Roets, and Wouter Vanderplasschen. 2024. “The Role of Addiction Treatment in Building Recovery Capital : Findings from 2022 Life in Recovery Survey in Flanders, Belgium.” JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES. doi:10.1177/00220426241283688.
Vancouver
1.
De Meyer F, De Ruysscher C, Roets G, Vanderplasschen W. The role of addiction treatment in building recovery capital : findings from 2022 life in recovery survey in Flanders, Belgium. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES. 2024;
IEEE
[1]
F. De Meyer, C. De Ruysscher, G. Roets, and W. Vanderplasschen, “The role of addiction treatment in building recovery capital : findings from 2022 life in recovery survey in Flanders, Belgium,” JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES, 2024.
@article{01J94JFR61WTYV5NZ3KHN9G7R6,
  abstract     = {{Introduction: This paper examines life experiences before and during addiction recovery in a large sample of treated and untreated persons in Flanders (Belgium). Methods: A total of 343 participants in recovery from alcohol and/or illicit drug problems (≥3 months) completed the 2022 ‘Life in Recovery’ survey online. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their engagement with treatment services: (1) unassisted recovery, (2) mutual aid support only, (3) formal treatment only, and (4) formal treatment and mutual aid support. The questionnaire was supplemented with open-ended questions about facilitators and barriers to recovery. Findings: Group comparisons revealed significant differences in the severity of dependence and living conditions (recovery strengths and barriers, SABRS) during addiction between those in recovery without treatment and the treatment groups. However, similarities in strengths, barriers, and quality of life during recovery were observed across all groups. Differences in barriers during recovery were attributed to variations in initial conditions rather than treatment engagement. The complementary qualitative analysis revealed that the four clusters experienced similar factors as facilitating and hindering recovery. Discussion: These findings suggest that while various pathways can lead to recovery, those involving formal treatment and mutual aid support may be particularly valuable for individuals facing greater initial barriers and fewer strengths during addiction, highlighting treatment as an important but not universally necessary source of recovery capital.}},
  author       = {{De Meyer, Florian and De Ruysscher, Clara and Roets, Griet and Vanderplasschen, Wouter}},
  issn         = {{0022-0426}},
  journal      = {{JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES}},
  keywords     = {{substance use disorder,addiction,self-change,treatment,mutual-aid,support,recovery capital,DEPENDENCE SCALE SDS,SEVERITY,ALCOHOL,DRUG,PATHWAYS,HEROIN,RELIABILITY,POPULATION,VALIDITY,COCAINE}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  title        = {{The role of addiction treatment in building recovery capital : findings from 2022 life in recovery survey in Flanders, Belgium}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1177/00220426241283688}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}
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