Deans

Karen Grosby – Center for Psychological Studies

Award Date

1-1-2008

Abstract

The proposed study will examine the processes of recovery from drug addiction, as well as functional outcomes, in a sample of men and women with a minimum of five years of continuous recovery and involvement in the 12-step, community-based fellowship, Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The study involves two components. First, we will assemble a panel of community collaborators comprised of individuals with a minimum of 10 years of continuous recovery and involvement in NA. These experts will consult on various aspects of the investigation (e.g., final measure selection and research procedures) offering the project valuable insight not easily obtained from prior scholarly work. Second, individual NA members (target N = 200) will complete a comprehensive survey assessing multiple recovery- and quality of life-related outcomes. Primary study questions are organized around four aims investigating: a) the natural history of recovery involvement over a relatively long duration (e.g., meeting attendance and other recovery-related activities); b) predictors of more recent recovery involvement; c) consequences of recent recovery involvement for broad dimensions of overall life quality (e.g., authentic happiness); and d) examining the processes through which longer-term recovery exerts its influences on overall quality of life outcomes (e.g., by cultivating gratitude, hope, a communal orientation among members). A diversity of statistical procedures will be used to probe study hypotheses (e.g., multiple regression, path analysis). Unique study strengths involve: a) community member collaboration in the research endeavor; b) the unique target sample (with respect to phase of recovery); c) an attempt to map out developmental trajectories of recovery-related experiences; d) an attempt to broaden focus to include quality of life outcomes (other than substance use); e) an attempt to understand the processes or mechanisms of recovery among members with relatively long term recovery histories; and f) student participation in all aspects of the project.

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