Exploring psycho-social growth after addiction trauma in families freed from substance use.

Abstract

Family experiences in addiction recovery remain underexplored, particularly regarding their role in sustaining long-term change. This study investigates psychosocial growth among families of women in recovery from substance use, focusing on how collective resilience and systemic engagement contribute to post-traumatic growth. Using grounded theory, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 parents and siblings of women who had maintained abstinence for one to five years. Participants were recruited from a rehabilitation center in Tehran, Iran. Analysis identified six interrelated themes: (1) family involvement in treatment, (2) repair and reconstruction of family relationships, (3) successful individual recovery, (4) the role of alternative treatment, (5) comprehensive enhancement and inner growth, and (6) sustained community engagement. Families emphasized prioritizing their own recovery, rebuilding trust, regulating emotions, and mobilizing spiritual and social resources. These findings contribute to the literature by conceptualizing recovery as a systemic process of mutual transformation, rather than the cessation of substance use alone. Familial adaptation, social reintegration, and the intergenerational transmission of recovery values were shown to reinforce resilience. Implications for clinical practice include the development of family-centered, multidimensional interventions that promote collaborative recovery and sustain long-term change.