Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37731748›Full record

ArticleSubstance abuse : research and treatment2023

Understanding the Shared Meaning of Recovery From Substance Use Disorders: New Findings From the What is Recovery? Study.

Sarah E Zemore, Kelly L Ziemer, Paul A Gilbert, Mitchell P Karno, Lee Ann Kaskutas

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Substance abuse : research and treatment, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
17citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

17 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. A meta-review of the evidence on addiction recovery mutual help organizations.Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire) · 2026
    Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Bed-based care as a response to the overdose crisis: an approach to informing and evaluating proposed expansion.CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2025
    Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. How recovery definitions vary by service use pathway: Findings from a national survey of adults.Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors · 2024
    Article
  16. Article
  17. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sarah E ZemoreAlcohol Research Group, Emeryville, CA, USA.
Kelly L ZiemerSchool of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Paul A GilbertDepartment of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Mitchell P KarnoDepartment of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Lee Ann KaskutasAlcohol Research Group, Emeryville, CA, USA.

Funding

Recovery Definitions and Behavior Change Processes in Recovery outside of TreatmentR01AA027266 · NIAAA · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · PI GILBERT, PAUL A., ZEMORE, SARAH E. · 2019 to 2023
$2.3M
Mutual Help Alternatives for Alcohol Problems: Benefits and Causal MechanismsR01AA027920 · NIAAA · PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE · PI ZEMORE, SARAH E. · 2020 to 2023
$1.4M
What is Recovery?R01AA017954 · NIAAA · PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE · PI KASKUTAS, LEE A · 2010 to 2013
$1.3M
NIAAA NIH HHS R01 AA017954NIAAA NIH HHS R01 AA027266NIAAA NIH HHS R01 AA027920
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) resolution typically involves a long-term, comprehensive process of change now widely referred to as "recovery." Yet, definitions of recovery vary substantially, producing significant confusion. To support formal recovery definitions, we aimed to systematically identify recovery elements that are central to those in recovery and shared regardless of subgroup/pathway. Methods: Data were from the What is Recovery? Study, involving a diverse, national, online survey of people in recovery (N = 9341). Surveys included a 35-item recovery measure reflecting 4 domains; participants reported whether or not each element definitely belonged in their recovery definitions. Analyses examined item endorsements overall and among 30 subgroups defined Results: Four "core" recovery elements emerged, including a process of growth or development; being honest with oneself; taking responsibility for the things one can change; and reacting in a more balanced way. Four "prevalent" recovery elements also emerged, referencing the ability to enjoy life and handle negative feelings without substance use; abstinence and/or nonproblematic substance use; and living a life that contributes. Subgroups differing most in their endorsements included those reporting mild/moderate SUD severity; non-abstinent recovery; and no specialty treatment or mutual-help group attendance. Conclusions: Recovery elements identified here partially reflect some stakeholder definitions, but offer greater specificity and include novel elements (eg, personal integrity). Elements may point to areas of functioning that are damaged in the addiction process and can support an addiction-free life. Findings should inform institutional recovery definitions; SUD services and research; and communications about recovery.

Indexed as

addictionalcoholdefinitiondrugsRecovery

Identifiers

PMID37731748
PMCPMC10508054

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.