Spirituality and Addiction

[Jerry]

[Name of the institution]

Spirituality and Addiction

Introduction

Spirituality can be defined in numerous ways but it largely refers to a belief in a power governing the universe that is greater than oneself, the sense of interconnectedness with all living beings, and the quest for self-knowledge, meaning, and purpose in one's life (Miller, 1998). When an individual uses his/her substance of choice, the usual outcome is a detachment and disconnection from the present moment, uncomfortable feelings that the individual seeks to avoid through self-medication, and ultimately, the self (Miller, 1998) . Addiction is a disease of isolation, and as the individual sinks deeper and deeper into the disease, he/she becomes more isolated from others and oneself as deeply rooted feelings of inner insufficiency and not being “enough” create the overwhelming need to use.

Financially the cost of addiction is monumental to employers, tax payers, emergency rooms, and the person with an addiction himself or herself. However, a person chooses to enter into recovery from addiction, the path is extremely personal and the lessons come hard and fast. There is no way to adequately prepare for an addiction and no easy entry into recovery. Substance addiction is caused by the prolonged and repetitive use of any combination of psychoactive drugs that leads to a persistent decline in social, physiological, and emotional functioning. The use of psychoactive substances affects the central nervous system and causes a change in the overall balance and interplay of a person's biochemical functioning as well as emotional responses.

Problem Statement

Research indicates that health care professions are including spirituality in care and that spirituality can improve the quality of life and is essential to being human. Several studies have been performed to connect religion and spirituality to physical health (Hill & Pargament, 2003), but there is little quantitative evidence on the subject. Much of the research conducted relates to spirituality that stems from the disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, and religion. Therefore, research is warranted to relate spirituality and addiction or recovery from addiction. This paper review the literature on spirituality and Addiction.

Discussion

Miller (1998) described spirituality as the unique aspect of an individual and religion is more contained in an organized structure. He also stated that spirituality is “multidimensional”, including behavior, beliefs, and experiences. According to Miller, there has not been much research in the area of spirituality and recovery from addiction. Anderson (1999) also talked about the impact of addiction on society, and how, based on his experience, indicates lack of success in treatment from addiction because of the lack of the spirituality component. He stated that there is the lack of understanding in the treatment field of the role of spirituality in recovery.

Grof (1993) described the process of suffering in addiction as a spiritual quest that begins with birth. Addiction becomes a seeking of reunification with our initial source of wholeness once found in the womb. Grof stated, “To heal literally means to become whole again” (Grof 1993, p. 168). The process of healing is described as a ...