Life History Theory and Recovery From Substance Use Disorder

Recovery has emerged as an important paradigm in addictions treatment but the field has yet to achieve consensus on how it should be defined and measured. The recovery construct has been extended beyond sustained reductions in use or abstinence to enhancements in global health/well-being and also prosocial community reintegration. However, few studies have included these broader domains in their measurement of recovery and few scientific theories have been advanced to explain why reductions in substance use occasion these broader life changes. This article applies life history theory to recovery for the first time to help define recovery, advance recovery measurement, and explain why broad change across multiple life domains should facilitate sustained recovery progress. We conclude with a discussion of future directions and challenges for future research informed by our life history framework for recovery.