Abstract
BackgroundMutual aid organizations, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), can provide support in substance use disorder (SUD) recovery processes. However, research on NA and its recovery-supportive elements is scarce and perspectives of NA-members remain understudied, in particular outside the US. Therefore, this study aims to gain insight into recovery-supportive elements of NA, as experienced by its members.MethodsTo explore the perspectives on and experiences with recovery-supportive elements in NA, 11 in-depth interviews with NA-members were conducted in Flanders (Belgium). Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed by using CHIME-D, a personal recovery framework (Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning in life, Empowerment, Difficulties) developed by Leamy and colleagues in 2011.ResultsVarious recovery-supportive elements of NA were highlighted, with Connectedness as a key component including opportunities for building up a social network and for providing a safety net or sounding board. Elements that enabled Connectedness were 1) a non-judgemental approach, and 2) mutual understanding through sharing in NA. Other elements of the CHIME-D framework were less frequently mentioned, although these were inextricably linked to Connectedness.ConclusionsConnectedness appeared to be the crucial recovery-supportive element in NA, emphasizing the relational character of SUD recovery. Although other elements of the CHIME-D framework were identified, these were closely related to and intertwined with the concept of connectedness.
Highlights
Mutual aid organizations, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), can provide support in substance use disorder (SUD) recovery processes
Mutual aid organizations are diverse in type and design and 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are probably the most commonly known and largest organizations [11, 14]
Whilst the NA philosophy was rooted in the disease model – including the belief in total abstinence – it recognizes that a radical change in life(style) is required and abstinence in itself is not sufficient to achieve and maintain recovery [13, 16]
Summary
Mutual aid organizations, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), can provide support in substance use disorder (SUD) recovery processes. Whilst the NA philosophy was rooted in the disease model – including the belief in total abstinence – it recognizes that a radical change in life(style) is required and abstinence in itself is not sufficient to achieve and maintain recovery [13, 16] The latter aligns with the ‘personal recovery’ paradigm, in which the idiosyncratic, dynamic, process-oriented and multidimensional nature of recovery is endorsed [1, 2, 19,20,21]. The CHIME-D framework does seem suitable to support mental health recovery, but can be applied to gain insight in and strengthen recovery supportive elements in SUD treatment and mutual aid groups [24,25,26]
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