Self-stigma, hope for future, and recovery: An exploratory study of men with early-onset substance use disorder

The internalizing of experience of stigma among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) can be debilitating to recovery. Individual factors such as self-regulation and abstinence self-efficacy can impact confidence in recovery and hope for future.

The aim of the study was to explore relationship among self-stigma, self-regulation, self-efficacy, optimism, and confidence in recovery of patients with early-onset SUDs.

The study was carried out on a sample of 40 male patients with SUDs. The study had a single group exploratory design.

The Self-Regulation Questionnaire, Drug Taking Confidence Questionnaire, Substance Abuse Self Stigma Scale, Revised Generalized Expectancy of Success (GES), and visual analog scale for craving were the measures used in the study.

Pearson and spearman's correlation coefficient were used to test associations between the variables. Multiple regression models were drawn to examine predictors of generalized expectancy of success and confidence in recovery.

Self-regulation, generalized expectancy of success (optimism), and confidence in recovery were found to be significantly correlated with self-stigma dimensions. The multiple regression model revealed self-regulation and self-devaluation as significant predictors of optimism (GES), whereas abstinence self-efficacy and values disengagement dimension of self-stigma predicted patients' confidence in recovery.

Poor regulatory capacities along with internalized feelings of shame, guilt, and devaluation may lead to lower levels of optimism and poorer expectancies of success from future. Patient's self-efficacy in terms of abstaining from use behaviors and disengagement from pursuing life goals can lead to lower levels of confidence in recovery from SUDs and have implications for treatment seeking.