Recovery as Life Transformation: Examining the Relationships between Recovery, Hope, and Relapse

Models of holistic recovery that focus on wellbeing in recovery are emerging in the field of substance use treatment, but the literature shows little research on the mechanisms of change within these models. The authors present hope as significant factor. Although hope is a considered a vital factor of substance use recovery, empirical research on the relationships between recovery and hope is sparse. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to examine (a) the association between recovery progress on risk of relapse and (b) the mediating role of hope in the relationship between recovery progress and risk of relapse. Methods: Our cross-sectional study included a community sample of 412 U.S. adults. Using a structural equation model, we examined relationships among recovery progress, risk of relapse, and hope. Results: The mediation model indicated a significant negative relationship between recovery progress and risk of relapse. Furthermore, it demonstrated that hope partially mediates the effect of recovery progress on risk of relapse. Conclusions: The findings provide empirical support for holistic recovery models of recovery and prevention of relapse. Further implications of these findings are discussed.