According to the scientists, a lot of recovering alcoholics come across augmented spirituality, which may help boost their chances of remaining sober.
"Whereas people’s actual beliefs do not seem to alter within recovery, the extent they have spiritual experiences, and are open to spirituality in their lives, does alter.
Considerable changes noticed
Within six-month period, a lot of partakers experienced considerable changes in about half the measures of spirituality, together with daily spiritual experiences, the use of religious practices, forgiveness, positive use of religion for coping, and feelings of purpose in life. However, there were no alterations in the partakers’ major beliefs concerning God or religion.
The excessive use of alcohol considerably decreased in the course of the research, and 72 per cent of attendants did not relapse to heavy drinking. The research revealed that subjects who had elevated feelings of purpose in life and in daily spiritual experiences were less vulnerable to heavy drinking. Other measures of spirituality did not seem to intensify the probability of sobriety.
The results of the study indicate that including all types of spirituality in alcoholism recovery programs may really help, the scientists explained.
The research is published in the March issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
