5th Edition of Addiction World Conference 2026

Abstract

Despite widespread treatment efforts, substance abuse continues to escalate, marked by increasing overdose deaths and frequent post-treatment relapses. Many professionals advocate for treatments addressing not only addiction symptoms but also underlying relational and emotional factors, including the affective challenges described in the Self-Medication Hypothesis. While substantial literature supports connections between these affective challenges and substance use, no studies have yet explored whether recovering substance abusers perceive this connection themselves. This qualitative study employed narrative inquiry, interviewing 18 individuals who have achieved at least one year of sobriety, to explore how they understand the relationship between their affective challenges and substance use experiences. Interviews and other data points depicted that a relationship exists between three affective challenges and substance abuse, including sense of self, emotional regulation and developing comforting and comfortable relationships. Further, the interviews identified that this relationship impacted the onset of substance use, the perpetuation of substance abuse, and recovery from substance abuse. Findings aim to inform future research and suggest potential improvements to existing substance abuse treatment methods by integrating affective and relational interventions alongside treatment-as-usual approaches.