Research to Recovery 2026

A connection between grief, loss and substance use has become a more explored topic to illuminate how layered complicated grief can be. In a 2021 paper, Caparrós and Masferrer looked at the complications and coping skills of individuals who experienced grief and were also using substances and/or in recovery.  The line between loss and grief of individuals and loss and grief in the recovery process is often overlapping therefore raising questions for helpers how to frame grief work.  The session explores a potential framework.    

Objectives: 1) Participants will be able to distinguish the relationship between loss, grief and complicated grief. 2) Participants will explore how their own experiences inform the way they engage with loss and grief 3) Participants will be able to discuss a framework to assist helpers in working with individuals experiencing loss and grief in relation to active substance use and recovery.