Association of spirituality and sobriety during a behavioral spirituality intervention for Twelve Step (TS) recovery

Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2007;33(4):611-7. doi: 10.1080/00952990701407686.

Abstract

Twelve-Step (TS) recovery utilizes spirituality to promote sobriety, yet there are no proven programs designed to facilitate spiritual involvement. We developed a seven-week behavioral spirituality intervention titled "Knowing Your Higher Power" for implementation along with usual TS care. Twenty-six participants from a recovery center enrolled. We assessed behavior at baseline, 7-week, and 12-week follow-up. The sample showed significant increase in spiritual involvement and beliefs over the 12-week measurement period and a significantly greater spirituality score in those maintaining total sobriety compared to those that relapsed. These findings encourage a controlled trial to determine if this work has efficacy for practitioners in substance abuse treatment.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Behavior Therapy / methods*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Pilot Projects
  • Religion and Psychology
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Self-Help Groups / organization & administration*
  • Spirituality*
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Temperance*
  • Treatment Outcome