COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders have caused disruptions in social interactions. Vulnerable populations, such as those in early substance use recovery, that rely on social support and social engagement have faced many challenges. The purpose of this study was to explore potential associations between perceived social support and recovery related outcomes, correlates of recovery related outcomes among face-to-face and virtual engagement, and identify characteristics that are predictive of perceived social support. Results revealed that social support was positively associated with quality of life and abstinence self-efficacy, and negatively associated with psychological distress. Additionally, recovery related outcomes differed among face-to-face and virtual interactions. Lastly, characteristics such as gratitude, mindfulness, and coping were positively associated with perceived social support.
The impact of social support on substance use recovery and exploring potential protective and risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic (preprint)