Spirituality and addiction: a research and clinical perspective.
Spirituality is a construct that has recently gained currency among clinicians because of its close association with twelve-step modalities and its perceived role in the promotion of meaningfulness in recovery from addiction. This article draws on studies from physiology, psychology, and cross-cultural sources to examine its nature and its relationship to substance use disorders. Illustrations of its potential and limitations as a component of treatment in spiritually oriented recovery movements like Alcoholics Anonymous, meditative practices, and treatment systems for the dually diagnosed are given.
Galanter
Marc
M
Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA. marcgalanter@nyu.edu
D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D019122:Meditation; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D029181:Spirituality; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation