Intersecting paths: Substance use disorder recovery and post-traumatic growth

ABSTRACT

This review provides an in-depth analysis of the intersection between substance use disorder (SUD) recovery and post-traumatic growth (PTG). It highlights the transformative journey toward a renewed self and purpose, including personal development, social support, and environmental factors. The review reveals that recovery involves navigating past traumas, reshaping identity, fostering resilience, and building community connections. This review emphasizes the critical role of environmental factors such as stable housing and financial security in supporting sustained recovery and growth. The importance of spiritual growth and empowerment through support groups and mentorship is also highlighted. The review advocates for a holistic approach to substance use treatment, integrating psychological healing, social reintegration, personal empowerment, and environmental stability. It also identifies critical areas for future research, including the impact of environmental factors and the long-term effects of support group participation on recovery. The synthesis offers valuable insights for clinicians, policymakers, and researchers, contributing to a more effective, empathetic, and holistic approach to PTG and recovery from substance use disorders.

KEYWORDS:

• post-traumatic growth
• recovery capital
• social support
• social identity
• substance use disorder
• recovery

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This article was supported by the National Institute of Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under award number: 1R24DA057659-01.