Exploring Essential Components of Addiction Recovery through the PRISM Model of Wellness

Abstract

This study explored essential components of addiction recovery through the PRISM Model of Wellness, an integrated and multidimensional framework grounded in existential psychotherapy and positive psychology. The PRISM model conceptualizes recovery across five domains: Perspective, Relationships, Intention, Strength, and Meaning. Using deductive thematic analysis, this exploratory study examined participant experiences of relapse and recovery through the lens of the PRISM model. Findings indicated that participant narratives reflected themes consistent with the five PRISM domains, including 10 emergent subthemes with the major domains as critical to sustaining long-term sobriety. The subthemes were narrative identity, cognitive reframing, positively impacting others, receiving positive impacts from others, resilience, personal responsibility, existential meaning, and spirituality. Some of the domains and subthemes overlapped, suggesting recovery is a robust and multidimensional process. Findings from the study extend the existential and positive psychology literature by illustrating how recovery narratives can be understood through an integrated, multidimensional lens of wellness. Implications include integrating PRISM-informed interventions into clinical practice and counselor training. Future research should examine the development and validation of PRISM-based assessment tools and interventions applied to individuals with substance use and mental health disorders.