Attitudes Toward New Relationships in Early Substance Misuse Recovery

ABSTRACT

This exploratory research examines attitudes toward new romantic relationships in early recovery, and the extent to which those attitudes vary based on exposure to 12-Step groups. A convenience sample of 82 mostly white, cisgender, and heterosexual adults in their first year of substance misuse recovery completed an anonymous online survey measuring positive attitudes (relationships as supportive) and negative attitudes (relationships as risky) toward new romantic relationships in early recovery. Negative attitudes were higher among those who were exposed to 12-Step groups, while positive attitudes were lower. New romantic relationships in early recovery may be negatively framed within these groups.

KEYWORDS:

• Early recovery
• romantic relationships
• attitudes
• substance misuse
• substance misuse treatment

Disclosure statement

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

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (NZ), upon reasonable request.