[Infographic] Spirituality and Addiction

How Spirituality helps with Addiction

The relationship between spirituality and addiction recovery.

8 out of 10 Americans believe in god or another greater power.

Adults and adolescents who attend religious services regularly are less likely to use illicit drugs, tobacco or alcohol.

Adults who don’t attend religious services are:

• 5 times more likely to use illicit drugs
• 7 times more likely to binge drinking
• 3 times more likely to smoke than adults who regularly attend services

Many recovered users credit their recovery in part to spirituality and support from a community of like-minded individuals.

Spirituality focused addiction treatment program have resulted in up to 10% greater abstinence rates than certain other forms of treatment.

About 87% of Americans identify themselves as religious with 83% identify as Christian.

Alcoholics anonymous was among the first popular treatment programs to explicitly connect spirituality with treatment and recovery, linking the spiritual aspects of addiction recovery with the physical and mental aspects.

As recently as 1999, the Catholic Church issued a statement that those who choose not to drink alcohol or smoke tobacco are performing a purifying penance and preparing for the afterlife.

Adults who feel that their religious is important to them, which totaled more than 86% of survey respondents were:

• 3 times more likely to engage in binge drinking
• 6 times less likely to use marijuana
• 1.5 times less likely to smoke tobacco
• 8 times less likely to use illicit drugs

Studies also indicate that those who hold religious beliefs, attend services or spend time practicing meditation are not only at less risk of abusing drugs, they also tend to have:

• Decreased rates of depression and anxiety
• Reduced pain levels
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol
• Fewer and shorter hospital stays
• More positive health behaviors
• Longer average life spans

Programs with a focus on negativity, punishment and ritual, as well as extremely restrictive programs, have been found to be less effective than faith, and spirituality based programs with a focus on providing support and nurturing.

Studies indicate that recovering individuals report that a spiritual element in treatment programs provided them with:

• A more optimistic, hopeful outlook on life
• An increased sense of social support
• Less anxiety
• Greater resilience to stress

Research on adolescent drug users found that early intervention in the form of spirituality based 12-step programs improved the lifetime rates of sobriety, as well as leading to an improved treatment response.