The aim of this study was to better understand the role of social networks in maintaining recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD). Researchers completed longitudinal surveys (2 surveys, 3 months apart) with 106 adults receiving medications for OUD in Delaware who planned to disclose their substance use, treatment, or recovery to a person in their life. Surveys assessed the degree of social support provided, and closeness to—and history of shared substance use with—the person to whom they disclosed.

• Participants who disclosed to someone with whom they felt close had increased commitment to recovery. This was stronger among individuals whose close contacts provided higher social support.
  
• Disclosure to someone with whom participants had previously used substances was associated with decreased commitment to recovery.
  

Comments: Social networks and relationships can influence recovery. This study demonstrates that disclosing substance use, treatment, or recovery to a highly supportive and close person—without a shared substance use history—may be beneficial to recovery.

Elizabeth A. Samuels, MD, MPH, MHS Reference: Brousseau NM, Karpyn A, Laurenceau JP, et al. The impacts of social support and relationship characteristics on commitment to sobriety among people in opioid use disorder recovery. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2022 Sep;83(5):646–652.