Spiritual Experiences Can Aid Recovery

Although few people change their core beliefs when they decide to stop drinking, those who increase their spiritual endeavors have a better chance of remaining sober, whether they are members of Alcoholics Anonymous or not. Researchers at the University of Michigan Addiction Research Center found recovering people who increase day-to-day spiritual experiences and their senses of purpose in life are most likely to be abstinent six months after beginning recovery.

"While people's actual beliefs don't seem to change during recovery, the extent they have spiritual experiences, and are open to spirituality in their lives, does change," says lead researcher Elizabeth A.R. Robinson, in a news release. "This effect was also independent of their participation in Alcoholics Anonymous which has a strong spiritual aspect." Some may derive help from AA, but others may not, Robinson said. "There's more than one way to feed your spiritual self," she said. Read more.

More Information:

• Spirituality Increases as Alcoholics Recover
  
• Early Spirituality Deters Alcohol Abuse
  
• AA: Spiritual or Religious?

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