Continuities and changes in self-change research.

AIMS

A substantial literature demonstrates that natural recoveries from substance use disorders not only occur but are a common pathway to recovery. This article reviews selectively and comments on the current state-of-the-art in natural recovery research.

METHODS

Basic concepts in natural recovery research are presented, and topical and methodological trends and changes in self-change research over time are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Although considerable progress has occurred in natural recovery research, several topics deserving of further research are identified, and implications for policy practice are discussed.