The Strengths and Barriers Recovery Scale (SABRS): Relationships Matter in Building Strengths and Overcoming Barriers.

David Best,Gera E Nagelhout,Dike Van De Mheen,Mulka Nisic,Thomas Martinelli,Wouter Vanderplasschen,Arun Sondhi,Lorna Brown

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.663447

Abstract

There is a well-established relationship between isolation and both morbidity and mortality in the context of addiction recovery, yet the protective effects of intimate and familial relationships have not been adequately assessed. The current paper uses the European Life In Recovery database to assess the association between relationship status and living with dependent children on recovery capital of people in recovery from drug addiction, operationalised by the Strengths And Barriers Recovery Scale (SABRS). The study participants were drawn from the REC-PATH study and supplemented by a second sample recruited by the Recovered Users Network (RUN) across various European countries, resulting in a combined sample of 1,313 individuals completing the survey, primarily online. The results show that, in recovery, those who are married or co-habiting reported significantly greater recovery strengths and fewer barriers to recovery, and reported greater gains in recovery capital across their recovery journeys. Similar associations are found for participants who have dependent children living with them. There is also some indication that this association is stronger for female than for male participants. Finally, having more people that one can rely on and a greater proportion of people in recovery in the social network are both linked to greater recovery capital and greater self-reported growth in recovery capital. We conclude that this study provides further evidence in favour of a “social cure” in recovery, in which close familial ties are associated with stronger recovery resources.

Highlights

Recovery from drug addiction is an emerging area of empirical research
We found a clear association between being in a stable relationship and both higher levels of recovery strengths and lower numbers of residual barriers in recovery
The data presented in this paper use the Strengths And Barriers Recovery Scale (SABRS) measure (Best et al, 2020) to demonstrate clear changes in recovery strengths and barriers from active addiction to recovery as an indicator of positive and negative recovery capital (Best and Laudet, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

Recovery from drug addiction is an emerging area of empirical research. There is a growing consensus on definitions, with general agreement that recovery is a journey characterised by dynamic and non-linear growth in health and wellbeing, sobriety and active participation in a range of social and societal roles and activities (Betty Ford Institute Consensus Group, 2007; UK Drug Policy Commission, 2008; Sheedy and Whitter, 2009; Ashford et al, 2019; Dekkers et al, 2020). A review by Humphreys and Lembke (2014) indicates the importance of peer and social processes, with the authors showing evidence for peer-based interventions, mutual aid and recovery housing. Another approach to recovery-focussed interventions can be drawn from the mental health field (Leamy et al, 2011; Best, 2019) and is based on the acronym CHIME (Connections, Hope, Identity, Meaning, Empowerment), in which human connection (normally from a peer or peer group) generates a sense of hope that recovery is achievable and—in turn—motivates a virtuous circle of meaningful activities, an emerging sense of empowerment and a positive identity

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Conclusion