Spirituality Aids Alcoholics

[Harry Hirsute]

"A new study shows that many measures of spirituality tend to increase during alcohol recovery -- and that alcoholics who experience increases in day-to-day spiritual experiences and their sense of purpose in life during recovery are most likely to be free of heavy drinking episodes six months later."

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releas...-sia031907.php

[EarlyBird]

Not really too surprising, Harry, as the lives of many Alcoholics deteriorats to rather low levels, before a decision to quit. It sorta comes w/the Steps Program, esp. w/the admitting that 'they are powerless over alcohol' part, and ending w/the 'asking for forgiveness of those they've hurt'.

[Harry Hirsute]

Originally Posted by EarlyBird

Not really too surprising, Harry, as the lives of many Alcoholics deteriorats to rather low levels, before a decision to quit. It sorta comes w/the Steps Program, esp. w/the admitting that 'they are powerless over alcohol' part, and ending w/the 'asking for forgiveness of those they've hurt'.

I think the interesting part is in the details. The "admitting that they are powerless part" is a hallmark of the 12 step programs. But, this new study specifically points out that such a program isn't the only way to go:

"One program that has been shown conclusively to aid alcoholics in achieving and maintaining sobriety is AA, which has spiritual components including invocation of a higher power. The new study, however, shows that the relationship between spirituality and likelihood of recovery was unrelated to whether a person took part in AA or not.

Some alcoholics may derive help from the spiritual aspects of AA, but others may not, says Robinson. "There's more than one way to feed your spiritual self," she notes."

HH