Recovery from addictions without treatment: Literature review

Abstract

This article reviews the literature about research on recovery from addictive behaviours without treatment (also called spontaneous recovery, spontaneous remission or natural recovery). The review focuses on natural recovery from problematic use of alcohol, drug, tobacco and food. It includes results of empirical work, factors for termination of the addictive behaviour and interpretations of the process of natural recovery. There seems to be some common factors related to quitting drug, alcohol, tobacco and food abuse without treatment. Some subjects have managed to quit alcohol and become moderate drinkers. Research on this topic might have implications for prevention and treatment.