“It is now up to all of us to take this information and translate it into action to ensure that those positive outcomes are available to all who are in active addiction”
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) (formerly the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse) and the National Recovery Advisory Committee are pleased to announce the findings from the first-ever Life in Recovery from Addiction in Canada survey. This report compiles the results of a survey of people in recovery from addiction to alcohol and drugs, and shows that recovery is linked to positive citizenship — engagement with family, friends, the community and the workforce.
In total, 91% of participants in the survey reported that their quality of life was either excellent, very good or good after recovery had been initiated — a finding that suggests hope for people living with addiction. Survey results also suggest that change in how the treatment system and society approach those living through active addiction could extend the benefits of treatment and supports even further.
The findings will be used to inform and educate health service providers, decision makers and the public about the lived experiences of individuals in recovery. The intent is to increase understanding and to help address the stigma associated with addiction and recovery, to drive investment in quality services and to improve overall access, thereby removing barriers to recovery.
Survey Findings
The survey asked respondents to consider a number of questions related to initiating recovery, the experience of addiction, barriers and stigma, and quality of life after recovery had been initiated. Key findings from the report are summarized below.
Initiating Recovery
The factors respondents considered the most important in initiating recovery were:
- Quality of life: 69.1%
- Mental or emotional health: 68%
- Marital, family or other relationships: 64.9%
- Physical health: 45.5%
Pathways to Recovery
Respondents used a variety of pathways to initiating and sustaining recovery, with many choosing a combination of family, professional and mutual support resources. Recovery resources or programs used Included:
- 12-step mutual support groups: 91.8%
- Other specialized addiction treatment programs, ranging from 60.6% for residential treatment to 5% for First Nations addiction treatment programs
Barriers and Stigma
Of respondents, 82.5% reported barriers to initiating recovery, with the most common barriers including:
- Not being ready or not believing the problem was serious enough
- Being worried about others’ perceptions of people in recovery
- Not knowing where to go for help
- Lack of supportive social networks
- Long delays for treatment
A full 47% identified system-related barriers to accessing treatment, including:
- Long delays for treatment
- Lack of professional help for mental health or emotional problems
- Cost of recovery services
- Lack of programs or supports in their community
- Quality of services in their community
- Lack of programs or supports that met their cultural needs or were in their preferred language
After Having Initiated Recovery
The majority of respondents in recovery reported having a positive quality of life, with 90.7% rating their quality of life as either excellent, very good or good. Respondents’ definition of the benefits of recovery included abstinence, improved health, social connections and functioning, as well as enhanced quality of life. The majority of participants reported barriers to initiating recovery, but 54.2% did not report experiencing barriers to sustaining recovery.
Compared to life during active addiction, when describing recovery, respondents were more likely to report:
- Having stable housing (95.9% versus 65.4%)
- Participating in family activities (90.3% versus 31%)
- Remaining steadily employed (79.1% versus 52.6%)
- Paying bills (93.5% versus 42.2%)
- Paying taxes on time (77.4% versus 43.4%)
- Regularly volunteering for community service activities (66.8% versus 14.4%)
- Planning for the future (88.8% versus 22.3%)
The survey was conducted in the spring of 2016 and received 855 responses from across Canada.
PDF files: Download the news release here. Download the entire report here: CCSA-Life-in-Recovery-from-Addiction-Report-2017-en
