“I Finally Love Who I See in the Mirror”: American Substance Users’ Reconstruction of Individualized Identity in the Recovery Trajectory

Abstract

Substance use disorder (SUD) imposes a significant economic burden on the United States, with costs related to healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity. Despite its prevalence, recovery remains underexplored, particularly regarding identity reconstruction and its economic implications. To the best of my knowledge, no study focuses on Americans’ identity reconstruction (social or individualized) in recovery, particularly in online platforms. This study specifically examines how ‘individualized identity’ is constructed in substance use recovery, an area with limited research. It explores the stages and themes of individualization in American substance users’ identity statements published on public recovery platforms. A macro-level analysis identifies three stages of individualized Identity reconstruction (Webb et al., 2022)—staying safe, exploring, and self-determining—each associated with psychological, social, and economic challenges. Individuals in recovery navigate financial instability, employment barriers, and housing insecurity, all which impact reintegration. A key finding is the role of stigma management in later recovery stages, where individuals reframe societal perceptions to improve their social and economic prospects. Additionally, the ‘individualized voice’ was examined from a linguistic perspective (Helms-Park & Stapleton, 2003), revealing a shift from dependency on external validation to assertive self-identification. The findings suggest that effective recovery policies should incorporate economic support mechanisms and reduce structural barriers to long-term reintegration.