Abstract
Recovery from addiction is a complex process that involves changes in an individual’s environment, behavior patterns, and self-perception. Long-term recovery (LTR) denotes enduring changes that occur over a period of five years or longer. While previous research has focused mainly on the typology of substance users, the present study sought to establish the typology of individuals in LTR from the perspective of various stakeholders. Accordingly, using a qualitative phenomenological approach, it examined the perceptions of individuals who have recovered from substance and behavioral addictions (n = 30), family members (n = 8), and professional therapists (n = 9), to gain a diverse and integrated perspective of LTR. To this end, participants were recruited from a therapeutic community, outpatient clinics, and NA fellowships, and took part in a semi-structured, in-depth interview. Findings suggest there are five distinct types of individuals in LTR, that we have dubbed the Fighter, the Avoidant, the Wanderer, the Devout, and the Comrade. These five types are differentiated by three primary parameters: identity, recovery goals, and central recovery strategies. Based on these findings, it appears that this recovery identity serves as a transitional stage, that helps individuals resume their typical course of action in sustained recovery once it becomes more stable. This typology highlights the multifaceted nature of the addiction recovery phenomenon, and incorporates distinct insights from previous research about identity changes and recovery strategies, by presenting them as distinct recovery types. Therapeutic interventions at various stages of recovery may utilize this typology to tailor treatment to the unique needs of individual clients.