1

2

3

Why is spirituality an essential component in relapse prevention, or recovery programs?

4

Why is recovery a difficult term to understand?

• There are thousands of recovery programs professing to be the best; however there is not ONE answer.

• a term with “no complete consensus on the definition even among those in recovery.”

5

Recovery….• Recovery is defined as a voluntarily

maintained lifestyle composed characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship.

What is re covery? A working definition from the Betty Ford Institute The Betty Ford Institute Consensus Panel

6

Recovery…

Cancer survivor-• After 5 years the risk of cancer returning

“relapsing” is significantly reduced• Proudly displayed pink ribbons that the public

recognize• Public discussion of survival rates has increased

the proportion of individuals willing to get early screening for the illness and to take preventive measures (CDC 2004)

7

Disease Diabetes Addiction

Diet Monitor Diet Learn to eat healthy

Avoid Sugar, alcohol, too many carbs

Abused Substance, any mind-altering drug

Professional help

Doctors educate client on learning to live with disease…monitoring glucose levels and leading a balanced life and preventing insulin imbalance

Therapist educate on learning to live with disease… identifying triggers, strategies for leading a balanced life and preventing relapse

Exercise A key to good health- helps circulation

A key to good health- helps brain recovery

Testing Monitor insulin levels Random drug testing

Relapse Frequent insulin imbalances Typically part of recovery

Support Grps Helpful for diabetic and family Often key to success; helpful for addict and family

8

Spirituality is often the missing piece in

treatment programs for addiction.

9

Spirituality is a• Vague concept • Personal• Complex

10

Spirituality is not a religion.• Religion refers to an institution and

a system.• However:

– Terms are often used interchangeable– Frequently intertwined

11

A concise definition:

• Spirituality emphasizes an inner quality that “facilitates connectedness with the self, other people, and nature.”

• Spirituality is fundamentally an ideographic aspect of the person.

12

A more complex definition:

• “Spirituality is a distinctive, potentially creative and universal dimension of human experience arising both within the inner subjective awareness of individuals and within communities, social groups and traditions. It may be experienced as relationship with that which is intimately 'inner', immanent and personal, within the self and others, and/or as relationship with that which is wholly 'other', transcendent and beyond the self”. (Cook , 2004)

13

“Collectively, it is clear that there is an enormously large number of different definitions comprising a relatively small number of common themes.” (Cook, 2006)

14

13 recurring themes:1.Relatedness: interpersonal relationships2.Transcendence: recognition of a

transcendent dimension to life3.Humanity: the distinctiveness of humanity4.Core/force/soul: the inner 'core', 'force' or

'soul' of a person5.Meaning/purpose: meaning and purpose in

life6.Authenticity/truth: authenticity and truth

15

7. Values: values, importance and worth8. Non-materiality: opposition of the

spiritual to the material9. (Non)religiousness: opposition of

spirituality to, or identity with, religion10. Wholeness: holistic wellness.

wholeness or health11. Self-knowledge: self-knowledge and

self-actualization12. Creativity: creativity of the human agent13. Consciousness: consciousness and

awareness

16

Higher Power Supreme Being

supernatural Divine Order

mystical Truth

unity soul

flow of Energy consciousness

Variety of Terms:

17

Outcomes of integrating spirituality into substance

abuse counseling programs

18

Positive Physical Health Outcomes• Lower rates of morbidity

• Lower mortality from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer

• Long-term sobriety

19

Positive Mental Health Outcomes• Lower levels of depression

• Decreased levels of suicide

• Higher levels

• self -esteem

• life satisfaction• personal adjustment

20

Positive Mental Health Outcomes

Higher religious faith and spirituality was associated with increased coping, greater resilience to stress, an optimistic life orientation, greater perceived social support, and lower levels of anxiety. (Carol, 1993)

21

Negative Outcomes of Spirituality

• No relationship between spirituality and stress levels• Increased length of sobriety is not associated with

greater contentment, nor with lower stress levels• Social and cultural factors may impact abstinence

– Cohesiveness and emotional closeness among family members

22

Outcomes of integrating religion into substance

abuse counseling programs

23

Positive Religious Outcomes• Protect against substance use

– Less likely to use tobacco, alcohol & illicit drugs

• Promote pro-social activities– Anti drug norms

– Form peer groups

– Less likely to engage with deviant peers

24

Positive Religious Outcomes

• Strong faith makes traumatic events easier to bear, even allowing them to be viewed as opportunities for spiritual growth.

• Church attendance, prayer, and scripture reading were associated with lowered risks of a clinical disorder.

(Ellison ,1991)

25

Negative Outcome of Religion• Individuals who are affiliated with a religious

group and use substances may become MORE isolated! Study by National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse (2001)

• Increased feelings of guilt and shame

26

Gender Differences• Women

– Higher spirituality was associated with higher contentment and lower stress levels

• Internal factor of spirituality

• Men– Relationship between contentment and stress is

stronger• External, environmental factors

E.D. Poage et al.,(2004) (Further Research Needed)

27

Ethnic Factors

• Latinos– Religion offers support during stressful times– Religious affiliation deters drug use – Deterrents not universal

• Stress of acculturation places them at risk • Intravenous drug users or gang members attend

church– Church attendance does not affect drug use– More drug using church friends

28

• African Americans− Higher social connectedness− Higher spiritual support − Frequent practice of one’s religion or faith lead to

greater abstinence• 76.2% v. 38.7% • 5x’s more like to be abstinent 3 months later

− Finding a purpose and meaning in life was higher

Stewarta,Koeskeb, and Pringlec, (2005)

29

Living a healthy lifestyle of recovery means a balance in all aspects of life - mentally, physically and spiritually…

30

Unbalanced Lifestyle

When life is unbalanced the path to recovery is difficult with many struggles and more challenges. It often feels like an uphill battle.

Health:Physical

Mental

Spiritual

31

There are still dips in the road but life is balanced. Obstacles are easier to overcome when the proper maintenance and care.

Health:Physical

Mental

Spiritual

Balanced Lifestyle

32

SpiritualityGives

Hope