https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7291-1431
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Abstract
Background
There is a lack of consensus in the addiction field as to how to refer to alumni of residential treatment who no longer use substances or who reduce their use. In the literature, this label and broader identity are typically discussed in technical (amount and frequency of use) or social terms (environment and social network changes).
Objective
The current paper seeks to simplify the discussion by focusing on personal labels without complex technical or social considerations. Alumni of an inpatient addiction treatment facility were asked how they refer to themselves regarding their sobriety status post-discharge.
Methods
Forty-nine patients were contacted 3 months post-discharge from a residential inpatient addiction treatment (men = 67%; Mage = 47.75 years). The patients completed a post-discharge assessment that was conducted by a trained research assistant over a 20-minute video call. The current study focused on a “sobriety label” measure in which patients indicated what they want to be called. Patients also explained why they chose their answer in an open-ended question.
Results
Most patients identified as in recovery (n = 29; 59.18%) followed by a sober person (n = 7; 14.29%) and four other responses. No alum selected the in remission option, which is notably a common way to refer to patients who no longer use substances.
Conclusion
The current study adds a critical patient/alumni perspective to the existing body of literature and serves as a call to action for researchers to add a similar “sobriety label” measure to future assessments, studies, and batteries in effort to bring consistency to the labels, definitions, and identities that are published. This methodology of understanding how this population identifies will create uniformity in future literature and decrease the stigma surrounding addiction.
Plain Language Summary
There is a history of inconsistent use of labels, definitions, and identities in the addiction treatment field. Few past studies have directly asked patients how they self-label, and it is important to ask those who use substances or who have reduced their use what they preferred to be called. This study asked a simple question to alumni of an inpatient treatment facility what they want to be called. We then asked them to explain why they chose that answer. Most alumni identified as “in recovery” or “a sober person”. This simple tool can be utilized by other facilities and also highlights that many research studies are referring to individuals by terms they do not prefer (eg, “in remission”).
Statement on Informed Consent
Analyses of these data were deemed “not human subjects research” by Pearl IRB due to their level of de-identification and utilization in quality-control initiatives (ID 2023-1058).
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge all who worked tirelessly to make Wellbridge a reality and who continue to realize its purpose on a daily basis. This includes our clinical, nursing, admissions, administrative, food service, housekeeping, and maintenance staff.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
Dr Nehal Vadhan and Dr. Jon Morgenstern report personal fees from Wellbridge Addiction Treatment, during the conduct of the study. Dr. Nehal Vadhal reports personal fees from Cutback Coach, Inc. outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest.