How do recovery definitions distinguish recovering individuals? Five typologies. (1st March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Witbrodt, Jane; Kaskutas, Lee Ann; Grella, Christine E.
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 148(2015)
• Page Start: 109
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2015-03-01
• Subjects: Recovery -- Recovered -- Remission -- Help-seeking -- Addiction -- Treatment; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: Established definitions of recovery (39) were subjected to latent class analysis. Individuals ( n = 9328) clustered around five typologies based on common response patterns. Abstinence, spiritual, and interpersonal elements distinguished the typologies most. Four common elements were ranked highest across typologies (e.g. being honest). Results demonstrate diverse degrees of identification with specific recovery elements. Abstract: Background: Six percent of American adults say they are "in recovery" from an alcohol or drug problem yet only a scant emergent literature has begun to ask how they define "recovery" or explored whether there is heterogeneity among their definitions. Methods: Secondary analysis of the "What is Recovery?" online survey employed latent class analysis (LCA) to identify typologies of study participants based on their actual endorsement of 39 recovery elements and to compare the composition of these typologies in terms of distinguishing personal characteristics. Results: A five-class solution provided the best fit and conceptual representation for the recovery definitions. Classes were labeled 12-step traditionalist ( n = 4912); 12-step enthusiast ( n = 2014); secular ( n = 980); self-reliant ( n = 1040); and atypical ( n = 382) based on patterns of endorsement of the recovery elements. Abstinence, spiritual, and social interaction elements differentiated the classes most (as did age and recovery duration but to a lesser extent). Although levels and patterns of endorsement to the elements varied by class, a rank-ordering of the top 10 elements indicated that four elements were endorsed by all five classes: being honest with myself, handling negative feelings without using, being able to enjoy life, and process of growth and development. Conclusions: The results of the LCA demonstrate the diversity of meanings, and varying degrees of identification with, specific elements of recovery. As others have found, multiple constituents are invested in how recovery is defined and this has ramifications for professional, personal, and cultural processes related to how strategies to promote recovery are implemented.