Admitting powerlessness empowers recovery from substance use disorder: a conceptual model

Some individuals use substances to cope with their post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. The emotional, behavioral, and spiritual experience of both their post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder is manifested in a sense of powerlessness, which is caused by the inability to stop using despite negative consequences related to continued use. Thus, powerlessness is a prominent factor in recovery from substance use disorder. The aims of the present theoretical article were to (a) present the consequences of the co-morbid post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder that can lead to powerlessness, (b) discuss powerlessness as empowering in recovery from substance use disorder based on Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotic Anonymous programs and post-traumatic growth theory, and (c) present a model of overcoming powerlessness in recovery from substance use disorder. The present conceptual model is based on the premise that powerlessness is multidimensional and manifested on three levels: behavioral, mental, and spiritual. Addressing powerlessness effectively requires relating to these aspects, which is in alignment with the broad view of change in personality, social, and spiritual aspects in the post-traumatic growth approach. This article contributes to the field by presenting the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and spiritual aspects associated with powerlessness and by addressing its multilevel nature in a meaningful way.