Long-term increases in purpose in life are associated with remission from alcohol dependence

This study examined whether increases in purpose in life (PIL) over 2.5 years were associated with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) remission among 364 individuals with alcohol dependence. Remission from alcohol dependence at final follow-up was associated with significantly greater increases in PIL over time, compared to those without remission or with partial remission. The strong relationship between increases in PIL and remitted status at final follow-up indicates the importance of existential issues to recovery, and the value of incorporating these concerns into treatment and further investigating their role in initiating and supporting recovery.