Recovering drug addicts tend to see themselves as highly religious or as they often prefer to call it 'spiritual', which may help them in the recovery process, according to new research.

• 236 participants recovering from alcoholism and/or drug addiction were studied

• 74% of recovering substance abusers reported some type of religious affiliation.

• Recovering addicts tended to rate themselves as more "spiritual" than religious.

• Higher levels of religious faith and spirituality among recovering substance abusers were associated with:

  • higher resilience to stress
  • more optimism
  • less anxiety
  • greater social support

"It may be that 'religious' has become a pejorative term due to many organized religions' strict adherence to discriminatory and judgmental doctrines, thereby causing many recovering individuals to label themselves as 'spiritual,'" the researchers report.

"Whatever the case may be, it seems that individuals recovering from substance abuse tend to place great importance on prayer, belief in God, and a strong sense of faith," the investigators add.

American Psychological Association Convention August, 2000; Washington, DC