Effects of Self-Administered Happiness Exercises in Substance Use Recovery

Introduction to the Study

A recent study investigated the impact of self-administered happiness exercises on individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Traditional approaches often focus solely on abstaining from substance use, yet recent research suggests that enhancing overall well-being and happiness may be more effective. Changing an individual’s perception of life and sources of reward may positively influence their harmful habits.

Understanding Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology dedicated to studying well-being and happiness. Although various interventions have been created to boost happiness, few have specifically addressed their relationship with addiction.

Research Methodology

To explore the effects of happiness exercises on individuals with substance use disorders, a research team in the United States recruited 531 adults diagnosed with this condition. Participants were divided into two groups: a treatment group, which engaged in one of five happiness exercises, and a control group, assigned to a neutral or negative exercise involving reflections on three negative experiences.

Happiness Exercises Overview

The happiness exercises were brief and completed online. According to an article in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, the exercises included:

1. **Three Good Things**: Participants identified three positive experiences from the past day.
2. **Experiencing Kindness**: Participants reflected on one act of kindness they performed and one they observed within the past 24 hours.
3. **Savoring**: Participants described a positive experience they appreciated recently or anticipated enjoying in the next 24 hours.
4. **Rose, Thorn, and Bud**: Participants reflected on the best experience (rose), the worst experience (thorn), and their most anticipated experience (bud) for the next day.
5. **Reliving Happy Moments**: Participants selected a picture that evoked a happy memory and described the context of that moment.

Results of the Study

The findings indicated that all exercises effectively increased participants’ momentary happiness, albeit with modest improvements. Notably, the most impactful exercises were “Reliving Happy Moments,” “Rose, Thorn, Bud,” and “Savoring.” Each exercise required only 3-4 minutes to complete, making them easily integrable into daily routines.

Demographics and Generalizability

The study’s participants were predominantly female, white, and college-educated, factors that may limit the generalizability of the results. Additionally, individuals with lower happiness levels and those in the early stages of recovery were less likely to complete the exercises, possibly due to reduced motivation for improving their circumstances.

Conclusion

Despite the small effect sizes, this study is significant due to its large sample size. The straightforward nature of these exercises may serve as a valuable addition to recovery programs.

Reference

Hoeppner, B. B., Schick, M. R., Carlon, H., & Hoeppner, S. S. (2019). Do self-administered positive psychology exercises work in persons in recovery from problematic substance use? An online randomized survey. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 99, 16-23. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2019.01.006