Associations between social identity diversity, compatibility, and recovery capital amongst young people in substance use treatment

Abstract

This study explored associations between group memberships and recovery capital amongst 20 young adults aged 18 to 21 years in residential alcohol and drug treatment.

Method

Participants completed an interviewer administered research interview based on measures of recovery capital and a social networks assessment mapping group memberships, group substance use, and relationships between groups.

Results

Higher personal and social recovery capital was associated with lower diversity of group memberships, a higher number of positive links between groups, and greater compatibility of lower substance-using groups with other groups in the network. Higher compatibility of heavier-using groups was also associated with having a higher number of negative, antagonistic ties between groups.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that it is higher compatibility of a lower substance-using social identity and lower-using group memberships that contributes to recovery capital. Further, positive ties between groups and lower diversity of group memberships appear to be key aspects in how multiple social identities that are held by young adults relate to personal and social recovery capital.

Highlights

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  Recovery capital refers to the personal and social resources available to people to support their recovery from alcohol and drug use

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  Social Identity models of cessation and recovery propose that social identities provide important resources for recovery from alcohol and drug use

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  Identity change is proposed to be socially negotiated, with social context bearing on resources available to support identity change in recovery

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  Recovery capital was associated with lower diversity of group memberships, higher number of positive links between groups

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  Recovery capital was associated with the compatibility of lower substance-using groups, but not the compatibility of higher-using groups