Integrating Spirituality Into Substance Abuse Programs, Essay Example

Lietz, C., & Hodge, D. (2013). Incorporating spirituality into substance abuse counseling: Examining the perspectives of service recipients and providers. Journal of Social Service Research, 39, 498-510. doi: 10.1080/01488376.2012.676023

Initially, the idea of incorporating spirituality into therapy seems unethical and an abuse of power.  However, the success certain substance abuse programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, have had with addictions cannot be ignored.  If spirituality is not forced, and the therapists are properly trained, individuals who are recovering from addictions may find belief in a higher power beneficial to their recovery.

Lietz and Hodge (2013) conducted a qualitativestudy which examined the integration of spirituality into therapy for substance abuse. The study was careful to differentiate spirituality from religion, and encourage the exploration of a relationship with a higher power as opposed to a set of organized rules and cultural practices.  It was recognized that the client’s needs must be prioritized and individualized, whether in a group or private setting.

Focus groups were usedbecause they prompted creative discussion and interaction with other recovering individuals.  Clients were organized intoa secular program, a faith-based program, and one group through “snowball sampling” who attended a variety of local substance abuse programs. Therapists from both secular and faith-based programs were chosen for each of the groups.

Each client’s autonomy was respected, spirituality was not coerced, and therapists refrained from imposing their own beliefs and biases. To establish autonomy, clients’ spiritual comfort and preferences were assessed. By establishing each client’s spiritual preference, therapists can have a good idea as to how to approach the client. Some clients must be gently guided, while others benefit from a challenge. Group sessions, while encouraging social bonding, allow for clients to challenge one another.  In a private session, this scenario may not occur; however the therapist can present challenges to a client’s beliefs, as long as they remain objective and sensitive to the client’s needs. When challenges are presented, new ideas for coping strategies may be realized.

Integrating spirituality into treatment can be difficult for therapists. Objectivity is important and therapists must not allow their own religious beliefs and biases to interfere. Whenever issues of spirituality are handled, it can be difficult for therapists, as personal stories can be encouraging. Education for spiritual integration should be provided to therapists and include a greater number of spiritual traditions, in addition to how to best use each tradition in a therapy session.

Spirituality may be more easily established in a group setting as opposed to a private treatment. The social support offered by group sessions may interfere with objectivity in the data collection.  Not only can groups can hinder the authenticity due to influences by peers, but the social support could be more of a factor in recovery than spirituality.Further research should be conducted with private sessions to have a better idea as of the true power in the incorporation of spirituality into treatment sessions.Another major limitation of the study was that it did not explore the effect of spiritual integration into therapies not dealing with substance abuse. It would be beneficial to see if spiritual integration was unique to certain problems or could be useful if it was incorporated into a broader range of categories.

Offering spirituality as a coping strategy where clients have a choice can be very beneficial in assisting individuals with recovery.  Addictions are a personal journey and what works for one person may not work for another.  As long as therapists are respectful and keep an open-mind, the incorporation of spirituality into therapy may serve as a powerful tool for many individuals recovering from substance abuse.