Stumbling toward Vulnerability: Recovery from Substance Use Disorders and Co-Occurring Mental Illness

Abstract

This study investigated the recovery process for individuals engaged in treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) who had co-occurring anxiety and depression. The participants were eight individuals engaged in treatment. The results of a Grounded Theory design and methods revealed the core category and substantive theory, Stumbling toward Vulnerability. Four phases in which the participants progressed in a linear way emerged. The study results have implications for the role of the advance practice psychiatric-mental health nurse in the early assessment of mental illness for clients with SUDs by providing integrated treatment for these individuals, and focusing on health and wellness as a recovery outcome. Based on the findings, hypotheses for further research are recommended.

Disclosure statement

The authors in this study have no conflicts of interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Faculty Development Award from Adelphi University to the first author.