Work

A Focus-Group Study on Spirituality and Substance-User Treatment

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Focus groups were conducted in 2005-2006 with 25 urban methadone-maintained outpatients to examine beliefs about the role of spirituality in addiction and its appropriateness in formal treatment. Thematic analyses suggested that spirituality and religious practices suffered in complex ways during active addiction, but went "hand in hand" with recovery. Participants agreed that integration of a voluntary spiritual discussion group into formal treatment would be preferable to currently available alternatives. One limitation was that all participants identified as strongly spiritual. Studies of more diverse samples will help guide the development and evaluation of spiritually based interventions in formal treatment.

Source: Substance Use & Misuse

DOI: 10.3109/10826080903035130

Authors: Adrienne J. Heinz, Elizabeth R. Disney, David H. Epstein, Louise A. Glezen, Pamela I. Clark, Kenzie L. Preston

Institutions: National Institute on Drug Abuse, Chase Brexton Health Care, Battelle

Language: English

Topic: Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institutes of Health