Recovery from Cannabis Use Disorders: Abstinence versus Moderation and Treatment-Assisted Recovery versus Natural Recovery
Date
2013-10-08
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Abstract
The recovery process from cannabis use disorders has received little empirical attention. Understanding how and the ways in which individuals with cannabis use disorders recover may help to improve formal treatments and facilitate recovery for those who wish to not seek treatment. The present study was undertaken with two primary objectives in mind. The first primary objective was to provide an exploratory portrait of the recovery process from cannabis use disorders from the perspective of individuals who have recovered. The second primary objective was to explore and systematically describe the similarities and differences between abstinence- and moderation-oriented recoveries, as well as the similarities and differences between treatment-assisted and natural recoveries. The methodology was largely borrowed from the natural recovery literature insofar as recovery was first inferred via the remission of diagnostic symptoms, and then explored predominantly via several interview domains (e.g., reasons for resolution, actions taken to recover, maintenance factors, barriers to treatment seeking). Several interesting and important findings emerged at the level of the total sample (N = 119), as well as at the level of group comparisons between the different recovery pathways. Notably, the findings lend further support to the effectiveness of cognitive, motivational, and behavioural strategies as helpful actions and maintenance factors involved in the recovery process. The findings also generally support the idea that cannabis use disorders lie on a continuum of problem severity, with moderation-oriented and natural recoveries more likely to occur at the lower end of the continuum, and abstinence-oriented and treatment-assisted recoveries more likely to occur at the upper end. Moreover, both similarities and differences among the recovery pathways emerged with respect the recovery process. The findings are discussed in the context of the broader addictions literature and with respect to implications for policy and practice.
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Psychology--Clinical
Citation
Stea, J. N. (2013). Recovery from Cannabis Use Disorders: Abstinence versus Moderation and Treatment-Assisted Recovery versus Natural Recovery (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27563