Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Wendy A. Ritch, MA, MTS, Preventive Medicine & Community Health, UMDNJ-NJMS, 185 S. Orange Ave, MSB Room F506, Newark, NJ 07101-1709, 973-972-7479, ritchwe@umdnj.edu

Purpose: To examine the relationship between a person in recovery's conception of a “Higher Power” as she understands it and her process of remaining free from using ATOD within the context of an “Anonymous” program.

Methods: Data were collected and analyzed from a purposeful sample of interviewees, some of whom identified as LGBT, and all of whom were participating in at least one Anonymous program; observations at open meetings of Anonymous groups; journal articles, books, web sites and other sources.

Results: Although the Anonymous literature clearly states that “anyone may join us, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion, or lack of religion,” language that seems to carry religious significance may be found in seven of the Twelve Steps. In fact, participation in an Anonymous program is prefaced on the recovering addict forming some conception of a Higher Power as she understands it very early in her recovery process - one is necessary in order to begin Step 2, which comes right after the first Step in which she admits that she is powerless over addiction.

Conclusion: Regardless of how scholars, cynics and others may attempt to disparage the notion of a Higher Power, the fact remains that countless numbers of addicts worldwide have regained and maintained their sobriety through participation in Anonymous programs. The recovering addict's conception of a Higher Power, as she understands it, is foundational to the healing process and, pending further investigation, may prove to be the key to recovery through the Anonymous program.

Learning Objectives: Learners will be able to

• Describe several ways that ATOD addicts in recovery related their healing process to their conception of a Higher Power;
• Discuss how the "Anonymous" program model empowers ATOD addicts to create a Higher Power that meets the specific needs of the person in recovery; and
• Understand the role of the Higher Power in the "Anonymous" program model.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Religion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered