Quit Attempts & Recovery
Quit Attempts and Substance Use Cessation
Beyond the first try: How many quit attempts are necessary to achieve substance use cessation?
Rafaela M. Fontes; Allison N. Tegge; Roberta Freitas-Lemos; Daniel Cabral; Warren K. Bickel
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
2025 February
Summary
This study examines the number of quit attempts people may need before achieving successful abstinence from substance use. Using data from International Quit & Recovery Registry participants, the article evaluates whether quit attempts vary by substance, substance use disorder severity, years of use, and age of first use. Findings suggest that recovery often involves multiple attempts, with opioids and pain medication requiring significantly more quit attempts than other substances. Individuals with more severe substance use disorder or a longer use history also tended to report more attempts before achieving abstinence. The article helps normalize repeated quit attempts as part of the recovery process and highlights the need for substance-specific, individualized recovery support.
Key Findings:
Quit attempts varied by substance, severity, years of use, and age of onset; opioids and pain medication required more attempts.
Implications:
Recovery support should account for repeated quit attempts and may need to be tailored by substance and severity.