Background: Since the inception of Alcoholic's Anonymous and other 12-Step fellowships, spirituality has become an important part of recovery from substance abuse. Methodological inconsistencies regarding the measurement of the spirituality variable, as well as disparate definitions of the concept have resulted in inconsistent understandings of spirituality's impact on individuals in rehabilitation programs.
Purpose: To determine the degree to which spiritual awareness is fostered through 12-Step fellowships, the study sought to measure the relative degree of spirituality that recovering addicts possess, in relation to those who are not addicted.
Methods: The data were gathered at Narcotics Anonymous meetings, through a self-administered survey, implementing the Spirituality Experience Index. A 38-item, the six point Likert scale instrument answers questions of spirituality among diverse religious and spiritual beliefs.
Results: Data showed a correlation between participant's assumed spirituality and the Spirituality Experience Index .323 (p=.006). A correlation was also found between spirituality and religiosity .454 (p=.000). No significant difference was found between recovering individuals and the general population.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that the Spirituality Experience Index may be useful in the development of an improved instrument to understand the degree of importance of spiritual awareness in recovery from addiction. As public mental health professionals begin to incorporate spiritual methodologies and principles into their practices, the study contributes to discourse on the use of non-traditional means to address physical and emotional problems that result from addiction illnesses.
Learning Objectives: a) By the end of the session, the participant will be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the Spiritual Experience Index. b) By the end of the session, the participant will be able to discuss how the recovering community compares to the general population using the Spiritual Experience Index.
Keywords: Substance Abuse,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.