Psychology And Spiritual Transformation In A Substance Abuse Program

Psychology and Spiritual Transformation in a Substance Abuse Program utilizes a five-year longitudinal study to examine the evolving psychological and spiritual condition of victims of substance abuse who were treated as part of the Lazarus Project, a Pentecostal faith-based residency program./span

Spiritual Transformation examines the subtle and complex nature of addictions and poly-addictions—alcohol, drugs, pornography, shopping, eating, work, etc., the myths and traps that defeat recovery from them, the structure and intent of each of the twelve steps, the related roles of psychology, therapy, medicine, the underlying spiritual philosophy of each of those steps, what ‘being recovered’ actually means, the over-riding importance of the five spiritual principles, and much more. It is written for anyone in any twelve-step program, for family and friends of addicts of all stripes, for educators, for professionals who work with addicts and alcoholics, and anyone who wishes to understand the intricate workings of addiction. Richard Clark has presented this material in various formats since 1986 to over ninety thousand people.

The present research advances the studies of recovery from drug addiction examining the role of conscience and its influences through spiritually transformative experiences. The scholarly research in substance addiction and recovery suffers internal tensions and underdevelopment related to the understanding of addiction, morality, spirituality and conscience. The aims of the study are to contribute to the resolution of these issues through exploration of conscience in drug addiction and recovery in light of its spiritual and/or religious transformative influences and utilisation in establishing the principles and outline for innovative treatment, conscience therapy. Narrative analysis (NA) establishes the methodological framework formulating the means for collection, examination and formulation of the results derived from the participants' stories. A combined interview with unstructured and semi-structured parts is used to gather the data from the six participants. The latter are a self-selected diverse demographic group with homogeneous characteristics defined according to their addiction, recovery, spirituality and context. Due to the singularity of the context a seventh participant was interviewed to clarify its characteristics and dimensions. The analysis and discussions resulted in clarifying conscience through its cognitive, emotive, conative and behavioural elements, from being suppressed during addiction but rejuvenated through personal spiritual transformation. The latter is characterised by a personal divine relationship based on love, acceptance and forgiveness. The empowered conscience leads to progressive recovery and personal wellbeing. Finally, the research culminates in utilising the result in an innovative treatment from substance misuse, conscience therapy. The principles and outline of the treatment are summarised in the transformation of conscience through enlightenment, empowerment and edification.

This study explores the relationship between addiction and spiritual transformation. More specifically, it examines how recovering drug addicts employ testimonies of conversion and addiction to develop and sustain a sense of personal unity and create meaning from varied experiences in life. Drawing on 31 original autobiographies, the book analyzes conversion and addiction testimonies in two European contexts: Serbia and The Netherlands. (Series: Religion and Biography / Religion und Biographie - Vol. 22)

Academic research in alcohol addiction presents diverse results and subject inadequacies. This study identifies conscience and its influence through spirituality on successful recovery as promoting unity and adequacy in the field. The purpose of the study is to analyze the relationship between conscience, spirituality, and recovery from alcohol addiction. This threefold framework underlines the conceptual importance of cognition, affect, behavior, spirituality, and character in addiction studies. Narrative analysis (NA) is employed for designing the present research. It is utilized for collection, examination, and formulation of the results derived from the participants' stories. Semi-structured interviews are used within the NA framework to provide the data from the twelve participants. The latter are selected as a homogeneous group based on characteristics of their addiction, spirituality, and recovery. The analysis of narratives defines conscience with its cognitive, emotive, and conative elements as related to spirituality. The conscience's nature and functioning undergo deterioration during addiction and complete rejuvenation through participants' spiritual transformation of a transcendent divine experience. Spiritually empowered conscience supports progressive recovery from alcohol addiction. The conscientious approach to self, life, and others is shaped by virtue and spiritual commitment.

What Richard Clark presents in The Addiction Recovery Handbook: Understanding Addiction and Culture is long overdue. Since 1939, Bill Wilson’s important and influential books, Alcoholics Anonymous and AA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, have helped millions of people struggling with addiction to recover. In more than 80 years since then, a lot has changed: the definition of addiction, its demographics, social attitudes to addiction, politics, religious influence, treatment modalities, and the epidemiology of the illness. These have taken tolls on our modern network of relationships and treatment that culture and community now depend upon. The Addiction Recovery Handbook examines the changing historical views of addiction, outlines how this culture developed its contemporary perceptions and values, and how society contributes to this growing problem. Richard Clark proposes AA’s traditional religious model of God’s help-and-forgiveness can no longer address the needs of a diverse and largely irreligious society where atheism is becoming mainstream. His updated analysis of the traditional ‘AA’ approach proposes that self-understanding and awareness—through knowledge and education, psychology, and compassion, be the significant components of any recovery framework. This will guide both caregivers and addicts to develop expertise regarding more successful treatment and recovery protocols. This would be in a supportive environment of self-knowledge and mutual respect, whether theist or atheist. All concerned will acquire the ability to live a spiritual life, which is clearly defined. The Addiction Recovery Handbook is an interesting and readable book and is intended for everyone: addicts, medical professionals, counsellors, therapists, clients, sponsors, social workers, family members, partners, friends, employers—every stakeholder in a healthy, non-judgmental society that cares about the wellbeing of all its members.

An in-depth look at the relevance of religious and spiritual issues to alcohol and drug use and abuse throughout the lifespan Spiritual issues and forgiveness are oft-neglected topics in treatment programs for substance abusers. This unique book brings those underrated components of recovery to the forefront through current research, case studies, and the insight of experts in the field of spirituality as well as drug/alcohol treatment. It illustrates the important interrelationship among religiousness, spirituality, forgiveness, and alcohol and drug use and abuse throughout the lifespan. The contributors examine the effects of religiousness and spirituality on recovery in relation to more widely recognized supports. Each chapter is extensively referenced, and most include tables and/or figures that make difficult information easy to understand and work with. Spirituality and Religiousness and Alcohol/Other Drug Problems: Treatment and Recovery Perspectives draws clear, important distinctions between religiosity and spirituality. It provides you with a clearly laid out conceptual framework for examining the relationship among spirituality/religiousness and alcohol/drug problems, and a theoretical model of forgiveness in regard to alcohol/drug abuse. This informative book also examines: the existing literature on the intersection of spirituality/religiousness and alcohol/drug issues addiction recovery across the lifespan connections among stress, quality of life, social support, spirituality and religiosity, and recovery how social supports, spirituality, religiousness, life meaning, and affiliation with 12-step fellowships affect the quality of life for people in recovery evidence-based forgiveness treatment alcohol abusers’ traits and how abusers function in the context of family Christian perspectives on alcohol/drug use and abuse—with a chapter devoted to Protestant perspectives and treatment implications predictors of rehospitalization for homeless substance abusers, including spiritual well-being various dimensions of religious involvement and mental health outcomes among addicted women whether religiousness, as opposed to church attendance, is related to alcohol/drug consumption and delinquency the ties between religious variables and mental health in a high-risk population (chemically dependent pregnant or parenting women in a residential treatment program) . . . and a great deal more This book is designed to be immediately useful to practitioners (social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and ministers) who work with substance users and abusers, as well as to academicians and researchers involved with these topics. Please consider adding it to your professional, research, or teaching collection today!