How Social Relationships Influence Substance Use Disorder Recovery: A Collaborative Narrative Study

This study explored how social relationships affect recovery from long-term substance use disorders. Researchers interviewed 18 people in Norway who had been abstinent for at least five years, with input from peer consultants who had also experienced recovery.

Participants said supportive relationships—whether with peers, family members, or professionals—played an important role in helping them stop using substances and maintain recovery. Recognition from someone who believed in them, such as a sponsor, sibling, or caring service provider, was especially meaningful. On the other hand, negative or unsupportive relationships could make recovery harder, so setting boundaries and building new social networks were also important.

The study concludes that recovery is not just an individual effort but is strongly shaped by social connections. Treatment programs could be more effective by involving families and communities, tailoring care to individual needs, and strengthening supportive relationships.

For more details, you can access the full article here.