What happens with spirituality when individuals become abstinent from substances ? Comparison between 12-step and non-

1. What happens with spirituality when individuals become abstinent from substances ? Comparison between 12-step and non- 12 step programmes. Venetia Leonidaki¹ ³ Dr. David Ball ² ³ Dr. Kim Wolff ³ 1.North Essex Foundation Trust 2.South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust 3.Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London • 1.Introduction • There has been an increased interest in the role of spirituality and religiousness (S/R) in drug/ alcohol problems and recovery from them. • One area towards which this interest has been directed is the possible change of S/Rwhen individuals become abstinent from substance use. • Most studies found significant change in various variables of S/R during recovery from substance use with the exception of Miller’s control trial (1, 2, 3, 4,). • This research area can help us to understand better: • the actual process of recovery • the role of spiritual change in achieving and maintaining abstinence. 5.Results 5.1.Comparison of S/R between the 12-Step and the Eclectic Group Three out of five dimensions of S/R and attributions to God were significantly higher in the 12-step group rather than the eclectic. • 2.Current Study • This is the first study which aims to compare spiritual change between rehabilitations with a 12-step philosophy (which emphasises spirituality) and those with an eclectic philosophy (with a mainly cognitive behavioural focus and little reference to spirituality). • It explores whether the possible spiritual change during recovery is a result of the programme philosophy (most studies have taken place in 12-step settings) or a pure component of the recovery process. 5.2 Length of abstinence and S/R The length of abstinence did not correlate significantly with any dimension of S/R or Attributions to God in the total sample or when the correlations were estimated separately for the 12-step and the eclectic group (scores vary from r=-0.010 p=0.886 for religiousness to r=0.11; p=0.879 for cognitive orientation to spirituality). • 6. Conclusions • The scores of most dimensions of S/R are significantly higher in the 12-step group compared to the eclectic group. • Surprisingly, greater length of abstinence did not relate to higher scores of S/R in individuals recovering from substance use in rehabilitation centres. This appeared to be the case for both 12-step and eclectic rehabilitations. • Thus perhaps individuals who have an interest in spirituality choose to go to 12-step rehabilitations. • The lack of association between S/R and length of abstinence contradicts the existent literature. • Possible explanations for this might include: • a lack of linear relationship between S/R and length of abstinence • cultural differences between the UK and the US • the participants of the study were not abstinent for long enough • the way that S/R was conceptualised from the specific measures. 3.Research Questions 1. Are the scores of S/R significantly different between individuals recovering from substance use in 12-step rehabilitation programs and those recovering in eclectic programs? 2. Is there any association between length of abstinence and scores of S/R in individuals recovering from substance use? 3. Does the above association (if any) differ significantly between individuals recovering in 12-step programs and those in eclectic programs? • 4. Methodology • Design: Analytical Cross Sectional • Settings :11 abstinence-orientated rehabilitation centers in London and the wider area. • Participants :205 recovering individuals: 110 participants from 12-step and 95 from eclectic programs. • The length of abstinence ranged from 5 days to 950 days (mean [SD]= 114.8 [101.8] days). • 96% response rate • Measurements 1.The Revised Edition of Expressions of Spirituality Inventory which measures five dimensions of S/R (5)2.Attributions to God Scale (6) 7.References 1.Miller, W. R., Forchimes, A., O’ Leary, M. J., & LaNoue, M. D. (2008). Spiritual direction in addiction treatment: two clinical trials. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment35, 434-442. 2.Piderman, K. M., Schneekloth, T. D., Shane, P., Maloney, S. D., Altchuler, S. I. (2007). Spirituality in alcoholics during treatment. The American Journal on Addictions16, 232-237. 3.Robinson, E. A.R., Cranford, J., Webb, J. R., & Brower, K. J. (2007). Six-month changes in spirituality, religiousness and heavy drinking in a treatment seeking sample. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs68, 282-290. 4.Zemore, S. E., & Kaskutas, L. A. (2004). Helping, spirituality and Alcoholics Anonymous in recovery. Journal of Studies on Alcohol65 (3), 383-391. 5.MacDonald, D. A. (2000). Spirituality: Description, measurement, and relation to the five factor model of personality, Journal of Personality68 (1), 153-197. 6.Baker, M. P., Sellman, J. D., Horn, J. (2001). Developing a God/Higher Power Scale for use with twelve step treatment programs. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly19 (2), 45-61.