Extrinsic Factors Influencing the Person’s Motivation for Engagement and Retention in the Addiction Recovery Process. A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Background Globally, up to 80% of patients enrolled for addiction care are lost to follow-up within the first three months of treatment. This review synthesizes evidence on extrinsic factors that influence motivation for engaging in addiction recovery and corresponding empirical definitions. Methods A systematic search for peer-reviewed articles was conducted through electronic databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINHAL, and scanning references. The included articles were published in English or French between 1946 and 2018. Results The identified sixteen articles indicated that extrinsic factors for the person’s engagement and retention in the addiction recovery process included: motivation-enhancing healthcare structures, therapeutic relationships, and supportive social networks. Results also indicated that empirical definitions of motivation for engagement and retention in the addiction recovery process varied across studies. Conclusion Extrinsic factors can influence the person’s motivation for engagement and retention in the addiction recovery. Research with full operational definitions of motivation for engagement and retention in the addiction recovery is needed.