Table 3.
Summary of the studies included in this systematic review (n=13)
| Study | Country | Research objective | Participants | Data collection | Design of the study | Method of data analysis | Main themes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bjornestad et al., 2019 [30] | Norway | To investigate the subjective experiences of long-term recovery from SUD, focusing on functional and social factors | Thirty long-term recovered adult users of substance use treatment services | In-depth interviews | Phenomenological study | Semantic analysis | - Paranoia, ambivalence, and drug cravings: extreme barriers to ending use |
| - Submitting to treatment: a struggle to balance rigid treatment structures with a need for autonomy | |||||||
| - Surrendering to trust and love: building a whole person | |||||||
| - A life more ordinary: surrendering to mainstream social responsibilities | |||||||
| - Accepting personal responsibility and autonomy: it has to be me, it cannot be you | |||||||
| Nhunzvi et al., 2019 [31] | Zimbabwe | To explore the journey of recovery from substance abuse among young adult Zimbabwean men | Three young adult men | Iterative in-depth narrative interviews | Qualitative narrative inquiry | Narrative analysis | - Substance abuse as our occupation |
| - Recovery from substance abuse: an ongoing transition | |||||||
| - Recovery from substance abuse: a change of occupational identity | |||||||
| Appiah et al., 2018 [32] | Ghana | To explore relapse prevention strategies used by patients recovering from poly-substance use disorders in Ghana | Fifteen patients recovering from poly-substance use disorders | In-depth interviews using a semi-structured guide | Descriptive phenomenology | Content analysis | - Clinical-contextual strategies |
| - Spirituality and religious engagements | |||||||
| - Communal spirit and support network | |||||||
| Wangensteen et al., 2022 [35] | Norway | To investigate patients’ reflections on their experiences in inpatient treatment for SUD 4 y after exiting treatment | Eleven former patients (6 women and 5 men), aged 30-45 y with a history of severe substance use issues | In-depth interview | Qualitative study | Interpretative phenomenological analysis | - Treatment content and relationships that were considered valuable |
| - Treatment content and relationships that were considered useless or harmful | |||||||
| Stokes et al., 2018 [36] | South Africa | To deeply understand how individuals recovering from SUD experience and maintain their recovery | Fifteen participants, including 9 men and 6 women | In-depth face-to-face individual interviews | Qualitative study with narrative and phenomenological design | Tesch 8-step data analysis process | - The transitions that led to the journey of sustained recovery |
| - Psychological mindset as strategy to help sustain their recovery | |||||||
| - Social support | |||||||
| - External and environmental changes | |||||||
| - Helping others | |||||||
| Shaari et al., 2023 [37] | Malaysia | To explore the factors that motivate individuals in recovery from SUDs to remain in self-help groups | Five members of self-help groups currently recovering from SUDs | Online focus group | Qualitative study | Thematic analysis | - This group gives me support to sustain my recovery |
| - This group empowers me to give back to society | |||||||
| - This group has a leader who gives me hope | |||||||
| Pettersen et al., 2023 [38] | Norway | To explore the experiences of former patients with SUD, focusing on the benefits and challenges of a reoriented identity and way of living after recovery | Ten participants who had completed treatment for SUD | Semi-structured interviews | Qualitative study | Content analysis | - Avoiding illegal drugs |
| - Avoiding contact with substance use relations and milieu | |||||||
| - Renewing non-addiction relationships and social network | |||||||
| - Establishing an occupation | |||||||
| - Discovering the value of the great, little things in everyday life | |||||||
| Yang et al., 2015 [39] | China | To understand the experiences of individuals who use drugs during abstinent periods and explore the factors contributing to drug use relapse | Eighteen participants, with an average age of 33 y (range, 18-41); the average duration of drug use was 12 y (range, 3-19) | Face-to-face, in-depth interview | Qualitative study | Thematic analysis | - Ways of overcoming withdrawal and the driving force for abstinence |
| - Experiences during periods of abstinence | |||||||
| - “Why I relapse” | |||||||
| Iswardani et al., 2022 [40] | Indonesia | To explore the process of meaning-making in individuals with drug addiction before, during, and after drug use and recovery | Five men in recovery from addiction, aged 26-49 y, who were abstinent for 4-17 y | In-depth interviews | Qualitative case study | Deductive thematic analysis | - Feeling that things make sense |
| - Accepting the situation | |||||||
| - Reattribution/having a causal understanding | |||||||
| - Existence of the perception of growth or a positive change in life | |||||||
| - Changing identity | |||||||
| - Reassessing the meaning of the stressor | |||||||
| - Changing global belief | |||||||
| - Changing global purpose | |||||||
| - Restoring/changing meaning in life | |||||||
| Dundas et al., 2020 [41] | Norway | To explore how participants used a mindfulness-based program to reduce their long-term use of habit-forming prescription drugs and their post-intervention strategies for controlling medication intake | Eighteen participants | Semi-structured qualitative interviews | Qualitative study | Inductive semantic thematic analysis | - Increased present-moment sensory awareness: noticing all the things one usually takes for granted |
| - Observing without controlling: managing to “uncouple” oneself from distressing thoughts | |||||||
| - Self-acceptance: no longer hitting oneself over the head | |||||||
| - Making conscious choices: reflecting before taking a pill, and sometimes not taking it | |||||||
| - Non-judgmental self-guidance: what else might you do? | |||||||
| - A sense of control: there is something I can do | |||||||
| Brunelle et al., 2015 [42] | Canada | To understand the experiences of individuals with drug dependency and the sources that motivate them to change | A total of 127 adults with drug dependency | Focused semi-structured interviews | Qualitative study | Thematic content analysis | - Quality of life |
| - Accumulation of services | |||||||
| - The role of caseworkers | |||||||
| - Collaboration between professionals | |||||||
| Rettie et al., 2020 [43] | UK | To explore the personal experiences of individuals recovering from drug or alcohol dependency who participate in social-based recovery groups | Ten individuals recovering from drug dependency | Semi-structured interviews | Qualitative study | Interpretative phenomenological analysis | - The group’s role in recovery |
| - Personal choice and flexibility in recovery | |||||||
| - The group as an inclusive family unit | |||||||
| - Active involvement in the recovery group | |||||||
| Martinelli et al., 2023 [44] | The Netherlands | To understand the process of drug addiction recovery through direct experiences of individuals at various stages of recovery | Thirty participants, both men and women, in stages of drug addiction recovery | In-depth qualitative interviews | Qualitative study | Thematic analysis | - Recovery is a broad process of change because addiction is interwoven with everything |
| - Recovery is reconsidering identity, seeing things in a new light | |||||||
| - Recovery is a staged long-term process | |||||||
| - Universal life processes are part of recovery |
SUD, substance use disorder.