Yes, said researchers in 1996 when they debuted a new concept in psychology: post-traumatic growth (PTG). PTG is a psychological transformation wherein an individual attains a higher level of functioning following a trauma. They defined trauma as “an event that produces an awareness of before and after, which is out of the ordinary and unexpected, and results in chronic problems that markedly disrupt one’s narrative.” Later, addiction researchers added, “Except for the event being unexpected, this is relatable to the definition of addiction […].”

A deeper understanding of the trauma caused by addiction, and the potential for growth in and through the recovery process, has only begun to receive scientific attention.

Research published in Nature in 2024 is encouraging:

Taken together, our findings: (1) support a PTG model for recovery; (2) provide evidence for processes by which close supportive relationships are protective against addiction and relapse; and (3) indicate that self-regulation is responsive to a short in-the-moment perceived social support intervention. We suggest that these findings support the theory that addiction is a social disease in the sense that close personal interactions and supportive relationships: (a) buffer against stress-related impulsivity, thereby protecting against addiction and relapse; and (b) increase personal strength, thereby decreasing the probability of impulsive — including addictive — behavior and promoting recovery.

Addiction As Social Disease Rooted in Stress

The Nature researchers focused specifically on close relationships and personal strength — two domains of PTG.

One, the social ties element. People need supportive, real-life, interpersonal relationships. We are social creatures, after all. Social isolation, not loneliness, is especially related to opioid use, for example. 

This is why there is so much emphasis on finding a group of peers when overcoming an addiction. When AA (or similar groups) work it is because you can share tactics to prevent stress-related impulsivity that can lead to relapse. Added bonus: The people “get” you, assuming you seek and find the right group. Social support is necessary for first, recovery, and ideally, PTG.

Personal Strength and Self-Regulation

The second idea — that recovery depends on personal strength — can be downright terrifying for someone in recovery. For too many it took far too long to admit the insanity of one’s behavior. Not to mention: Even without the complications of addiction some people struggle to focus and self-regulate. This fear may be warranted.

The Nature researchers again write:

[I]t bears mentioning that our findings concerning personal strength and self-regulation are consistent with research indicating that self-regulation is a limited resource which can be developed and bolstered. Numerous studies indicate that, like caloric energy or physical strength, self-regulation can be depleted by, among other things, coping with stress.

What to do? Do what works. Build on the recovery foundations of social support and stress management central to recovery. From here post-traumatic growth can begin.

Critically, it also depends on how you view yourself and your situation. All PTG theories have a commonality in cognitive adaptation. An example of mental reframing is how Holly Whitaker explained it in Quit Like a Woman: “It isn’t about not getting to drink, but about not having to drink.”

Evolving Theories of PTG

There are competing theories about how and why individuals experience PTG. For example:

Janoff-Bulman (2004) proposed three models centered on: Self-understanding after suffering, adjustment of worldview around assumptions on control and beneficence of others, and formulating new meaning by reprioritising and revaluing life.

An alternate theory proposed by Joseph and Linley (2005), considers PTG in terms of three outcomes. These are assimilation, negative accommodation and positive accommodation. Positive accommodation is said to enable PTG by the constructive adaptation to the trauma.

What can people in recovery make of these competing theories? Look at the commonalities with successful recovery: Find and build supportive relationships. Learn to better manage your stress so you can access your strength.

As the researchers in Nature conclude:

We suggest that these findings support the theory that addiction is a social disease in the sense that close personal interactions and supportive relationships: (a) buffer against stress-related impulsivity, thereby protecting against addiction and relapse; and (b) increase personal strength, thereby decreasing the probability of impulsive — including addictive — behavior and promoting recovery.

Written by Katie McCaskey. First published October 22, 2024.

Sources:

“The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: Measuring the Positive Legacy of Trauma,” Journal of Traumatic Stress, January 1996.

“Trauma, stages of change and post traumatic growth in addiction: A new synthesis,” Journal of Substance Use, April 5, 2021.

“The risks of social isolation,” American Psychological Association, May 2019.

“A mixed methods experience sampling study of a posttraumatic growth model for addiction recovery,” Nature, March 13, 2024.

“Quit Like a Woman,” Holly Whitaker, 2019.

Image Copyright: svetlana15.