Flourishing during stages of substance use recovery among members of The Phoenix: a United States sober-active community
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Substance use recovery is increasingly understood as a holistically process of personal and social growth rather than abstinence alone. This aligns with the concept of human flourishing, which is understudied in recovery communities. This study aimed to assess self-reported changes in flourishing among members of The Phoenix, a nationwide sober-active community, and to examine whether flourishing differed by recovery stage and length of membership. Methods Members in recovery ( N = 540; 22.8% in early recovery; 45.7% with <1 year of membership) completed a retrospective (“thentest”) cross-sectional survey, rating their flourishing at joining and currently using the 12-item Secure Flourishing Index. Nonparametric analyses examined changes in flourishing and differences by membership length while adjusting for recovery stage. Results Members in early recovery reported significantly lower flourishing at joining. Overall flourishing increased by 33.3% from joining to present, with significant improvements across all six subdomains. Members with 5 + years of membership reported greater perceived increases than those with <1 year ( p < 0.05). Both recovery stage and membership length contributed uniquely to the ANOCOVA, ƒ (4,534) = 10.3, p < 0.01. Discussion Flourishing increased across recovery stages and membership length in The Phoenix community. Findings suggest that participation in recovery communities such as The Phoenix may enhance flourishing, supporting their value as community-based resources for sustained recovery and public health; however longitudinal research is needed.
Source: Frontiers in Public Health
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4417146107