During the Annual Congress of the American Sociological Association, held in New York, interesting research was presented that found that spirituality in adolescents in treatment for substance abuse is associated with a greater probability of abstinence, increases positive social behaviors and reduces narcissism.
The study explored the religious experiences of 195 adolescents with substance abuse problems, ages 14 to 18, who were referred by a court for treatment at the center. New Directionswhich uses the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, and does not require participants to have any particular type of religious belief.
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The researchers assessed “daily spiritual experiences” independently of “religious beliefs and behaviors.” Daily spiritual experiences are not tied to any particular religious tradition and include feelings of a divine presence, inner peace or harmony, selflessness, and benevolence toward others.
Spirituality in adolescents undergoing substance abuse treatment is associated with a greater likelihood of abstinence
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The majority of participants had marijuana dependence (92%) with comorbid alcohol dependence (60%). They were interviewed in the first 10 days of treatment and at discharge from treatment, two months later.
Subjects were assessed by urine toxicology testing, symptoms of alcohol or drug dependence, clinical characteristics of global psychosocial functioning, spiritual experiences, and religious behaviors.
On the “religious belief and behavior” scale, it was found that adolescents reported a range of beliefs such as atheism, agnosticism, insecure, non-denominational spiritual, and religious denomination. After two months of treatment, it was found that 2/3 of the adolescents, regardless of their religious denomination, reported having more daily spiritual experiences in the last stretch of treatment.
“More importantly, these changes strongly predicted toxicology, narcissism, and positive social behavior,” explained Matthew Lee, co-leader of the study. And he added “the ability of adolescents to be more spiritual and overcome egocentrism is evidence of the malleability of personality and belief orientation.”
For researchers, this study shows that if adolescents become more spiritual, then they will have a better chance of obtaining better results in treatment.
This study will be available during spring 2014 in the journal Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly.
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