title: The Role of Twelve-Step-Related Spirituality in Addiction Recovery.
abstract: This paper reviews empirical studies conducted on the role of spirituality and religiosity (S/R) characteristics in 12-step recovery among program members followed up after substance abuse treatment and those assessed independent of formal treatment. Aspects of spiritual functioning that change in relation to program participation and those S/R characteristics that were found to mediate the association between program involvement and drinking-related outcomes are discussed. In addition, a review is provided of 12-step program studies investigating S/R-related predictors of clinical outcomes relevant to risk of relapse among members in long-term recovery. To further examine the role of S/R characteristics in recovery, a study was conducted on long-term AA members to assess the relationship of S/R characteristics and AA program involvement to craving for alcohol and emotional distress after controlling for relevant demographic variables. Feeling God's presence daily, believing in a higher power as a universal spirit, and serving as an AA sponsor were all predictive of positive outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, The Center for Spirituality and Healthcare, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA. hd7@nyu.edu.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dermatis
authors.affiliation: Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, The Center for Spirituality and Healthcare, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galanter
mesh_terms: D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D029181:Spirituality
keywords: Alcoholics Anonymous; Recovery; Spirituality