Spirituality And Substance Abuse Treatment - Term Paper Example

Spirituality And Substance Abuse Treatment Substance abuse has been a longstanding social problem. With this, there have been a lot of research and study on the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and addiction. There have been different types and forms of treatment that have been applied with these cases, the newest one being spiritual treatment. This paper aims to find out how spirituality affects the treatment of substance abuse and how applicable it is in preventing such cases. This paper does not aim to prove that spiritual treatment is the most effective approach in treating substance abuse rather it seeks to understand how this specific method of treatment impacts the patient’s progress and development towards being clean from the effects of substance abuse, mainly on health and psychological disposition. Substance abuse starts with just merely using different types of drugs, like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and prohibited drugs. Being exposed to frequent use, the individual becomes addicted to it. Different factors have been attributed to substance abuse. Depression, stress, mental disorders, peer pressure, these are but some of the factors that can lead to substance abuse. The individual turns to substance use when faced with these situations and eventually, they get hooked on it. The substance that they have been using becomes part of their daily activities, their daily routine. And with this, their bodies get used to being subjected to such dosages of substance. This also leads to an eventual increase in dosage as the individual cannot feel anymore the euphoria that they feel when they take in their normal dosage. This leads them to try out new and more powerful substances, which leads to an even higher dependence on the said substance. Substance abuse has been associated with different health and psychological disorders. A substance commonly abused by many people is alcohol. Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that can lead to addiction and dependency (Pyne, et. al., 3). Alcohol dependence and abuse are characterized by maladaptive patterns of use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress and manifested by tolerance, withdrawal and inability to fulfill role obligations, recurrent substance related legal problems, and social and interpersonal problems (Pyne, et. al., 3). Abuse of alcohol becomes alcoholism and several diseases have been associated with this condition. One of these is cirrhosis, which can lead to death when not treated. Cancer, heart diseases, maternal and child health problems, injuries, accidents and violence are also effects of alcohol abuse. Another substance that has been commonly abused is nicotine, through cigarettes and tobaccos. Lung cancer and heart diseases are the most frequent effects of nicotine addiction, both of which are the biggest contributors in causing death in nicotine abusers. Substance abuse does not only happen with alcohol and cigarettes, even over the counter medicine can lead to substance abuse. The point of which shows that substance or any drugs, habitually taken makes the body get used to it eventually leading the individual to feel and believe that they are experiencing positive effects of the drugs. Psychological effects lead the user to believe that they feel fine whenever they take in the substance, which leads them to overuse it. This, in turn, leads to abuse and eventually addiction, wherein their bodies become dependent on the substance. Prohibited drugs, like marijuana, cocaine and LSD, affect brain processes mainly disrupting the normal neurotransmission in the brain interfering with the brain’s communication system (Coombs and Howatt, 42). Addictive drugs tend to send false messages to and fro the brain, with the mistaking it for the real messages, thus it confuses not only the brain processes but leads to a disruption in other body functions, such as movement and blood flow. This can be related to a disruption of the still water in a pond wherein when you throw a rock into it repeatedly, the ripples become indistinguishable. The water becomes distorted as how the brain patterns and processes become confused and distorted. This leads to a tolerance in the effects of the drugs, which leads to an escalation of drug use and abuse to reach a desired state of mind (Coombs and Howatt, 42). This increases physical and psychological dependency. Psychological and physical dependency on abused substances is characterized by three responses: the need to take a drug to experience its pleasurable effects, the appearance of behavioral changes – psychological and/or physiological – when the drug is abruptly discontinued, and the need to continually increase the dose and/or frequency of use to sustain its initial effects (Stimmel, 23). Dependency on the drugs has two forms: psychological and physical. Psychological dependency is the emotional state of craving drug, either for its positive effects when used or avoiding negative effects when the drug is not used. This motivates a drug-seeking behavior wherein the individual tends to reach out to the drug use to avoid feeling the negative effects and to continue feeling the positive effects of the drugs. Psychological dependency on the drugs is more dangerous compared to physical dependence although it reinforces the physical dependence on the substance. Physical dependence happens when the body has adapted to the intake of drugs and the body cannot function anymore without it. This is not always negative, for when drugs used specifically for medical conditions are more effective as the body adapts positively towards its use, making the body suffer withdrawal symptoms harmful for the patient when the medication is stopped. An example of this is with epileptic patients, when their medication is stopped, their body reacts negatively towards it causing a severe epileptic attack. In this case, tolerance and physical dependence on the drugs is beneficial. When the patient takes the drugs solely for the purpose of feeling the euphoria or the high caused by the drugs, then it becomes dangerous as it becomes a psychological dependence rather than a physical dependence. The individual takes the drugs solely for the psychological effects of the drugs instead of the physical positive effects of the drugs. An individual’s environment has a great impact in the promotion of drug use, abuse and addiction. Association of pleasurable situations with drug use can also promote drug use. Ex-smokers, for example, often experience a great craving for cigarettes during morning coffees or while drinking (Stimmel, 40). Former drug addicts feel drug craving when they pass by the neighborhood where they take drugs (Stimmel, 40). Stress and anxiety also contribute to drug use. During treatment, individuals tend to experience a relapse when they are faced with these situations, experiences which contributed to their drug use and abuse. These incidences must be facilitated and dealt with to avoid further deterioration of substance abuse treatment. Both psychological and environmental factors have a great bearing in the increase of drug use and abuse. Thus, these factors must be studied in order to understand how to prevent such cases of first-time users and relapse. It is also important that these factors are taken into consideration when determining what model or style of treatment the abuser must undergo. Treatments have different effects on individuals and it is crucial that the effects and reasons of drug use must be studied in order to determine which style of treatment should be used for a substance abuse case. There are different models and approaches to treatment of substance abuse and addiction. It may be grouped as: brief interventions, pharmacological models, psychological models, sociocultural models and other forms of treatment, including acupuncture (Stimmel, 60). The setup and the environment of the treatment is an important factor in successfully finishing the treatment program. Brief intervention is the most cost-effective and easiest techniques when there is no considerable social dysfunction or dependency exists. It involves discussion of the condition and what can be done to prevent further physical and psychological damage to the individual. Pharmacological therapies focus on detoxification, maintenance and blocking effects of mood-altering drugs, prevention of drug craving and treatment of coexisting psychiatric conditions. Psychological therapies focus on treating the cognitive and behavioral processes that are not functioning in a normal way. These therapies focus on avoiding situations and environments that have a connection to the patient’s drug use and addiction. Psychological therapies range from cognitive therapy to aversive conditioning in order to treat the patient. Counseling and group therapies are main methods of psychological therapies. Sociocultural approach to substance abuse treatment mainly focuses on sociocultural factors that led to the addiction. It uses sociocultural methods of treatment such as group therapies and therapeutic communities in order to regain normal social functioning of the patient. Spirituality is one sociocultural method that has been recently discovered to have a major impact in recovery and rehabilitation of a patient. Spirituality can be associated with religion although the two concepts are entirely different. They can overlap with each other depending on the situation that arises. While religion is defined by boundaries, spirituality exists as a characteristic of an individual, thus showing that it varies from one person to the other. Spirituality, therefore cannot be restricted within definite boundaries (Benda and McGovern, 9; Galanter, 391). As human characteristics are reflective of change, spirituality has different levels by which are attributed to the different characteristics of individuals. Spirituality and religion cannot be interchanged, religion may in fact hamper or improve one’s spirituality. With this, it can be concluded that spirituality is multidimensional, it cannot be defined specifically as it encompasses different characteristics and behaviors of an individual. The different dimensions that spirituality consists of are behavior and practices, beliefs, motivation and values, and subjective experience. Every individual can be placed within the different spheres or dimensions within spirituality, thus, it cannot be concluded that one person can be more or less spiritual that the other. As with personality, spirituality can only be understood depending on the situation and experiences of each individual. One’s spirituality has reasons behind it, which cannot be scientifically answered as it comes from personal experience and relation. In understanding the connection between substance abuse treatment and spirituality, it is important to acknowledge the psychological factors in substance abuse. Because of dependency and tolerance, the patient becomes addicted to the substance that gives him pleasure and a sense of euphoria. Because of this the patient becomes separated from himself, his surroundings, his environment and even his spirituality. His only focus is the feeling of happiness that comes from taking in drugs, which eventually leads to the disruption of normal brain processes, as well as, normal behavioral patterns. This eventually displaces him from himself as he focuses on one thing alone: the drugs. The patient, then, becomes a different person, thus his personality, as well as, his spirituality becomes dysfunctional. Being a personal and integral characteristic, spirituality is affected by substance abuse as it affects the entire personality and individuality of the patient. The physical, emotional and psychological changes manifested by a patient show how his personality, individuality and spirituality is stunted or displaced. Traditions, such as the Jewish and Christian traditions, show that wine (or alcoholic substances) has social and ritualistic significance (Benda and McGovern, 10). Scriptures indicate that misuse of alcohol causes sinful behavior. With this, it can be assumed that substance abuse, even in older times and tradition, is not a normal behavior. This shows that substance abuse is indeed not good for any individual. It does not only cause behavioral and psychological problems but social problems as well. Sinfulness is associated with substance abuse. Although spirituality and religion may seem to overlap and be the same, religiousness is far from spirituality. As discussed earlier, religion has boundaries, spirituality does not have boundaries. Spirituality is more of a connection to a higher sense of being, may it be a higher persona, but more often than not it is the connection to a higher sense of being, focusing mainly on one’s sense of being. Key concepts related to this are connection to oneself and others, purpose and meaning to life. With this, spirituality and religion can be differentiated. Whereas religiousness focuses on the belief of a certain dogma, spirituality is the connection to a higher plane or sense of being, connected to a certain purpose or meaning in life. One’s spirit becomes full and functional as one connects to it and as one recognizes the purpose and meaning to one’s personal experiences, and life itself. Spirituality can be enhanced or hampered by religion depending on how it may give meaning and purpose to the life of the individual in connection with the society and with himself. It is important to consider that religion can be an aspect of spirituality, however there are other ways on how to improve spirituality such as belief in family, rationalism, humanism, arts and the life. Whatever it is that allows the individual to find meaning and purpose and that of which connects him with himself, that is his spirituality. These ideas are important when discussing spirituality in the context of substance abuse. During substance abuse, the patient tends to be dislocated with his own person, thus, showing a dysfunctional mind, body and spirit. It is safe to conclude that as one has deeper dependence on the substance, he is farther away from himself, basically far from his mind, body and spirit. Spirituality becomes an important factor in treatment of substance abuse because it reconnects the patient with himself, as well as with other people and with a higher sense of purpose and living. Spirituality allows the patient to see himself as an important being who has a purpose in life. Also, spirituality is an important aspect in treatment, as this aspect of life for functional human beings is an integral part of one’s individual characteristic. Spirituality is part of oneself, as religion is part of our culture. With this, it is safe to conclude that spirituality is part of the culture by which we can turn to towards understanding this aspect of treatment. Each individual is part of a society. The society’s beliefs, values and tradition are embedded in each individual no matter how one tries to deny it. In the event of substance abuse, the individual tends to divert away from the normal social functioning, thus, denying him the importance of being one with himself and with the society. He becomes a deviant case, by which he tends to feel even more alone and desperate. In any culture, deviance is looked as a negative thing. The more you are in conformity with the society, the more the society accepts you. Patients of substance abuse are believed to be nonconformists, as substance abuse is not accepted in the society. With this, the individual becomes even more separated from the culture and tradition, which is an important aspect of one’s being. Being in sync with oneself is an important aspect of spirituality. It is believed that spirituality unites the body with the mind and with the spirit, as one treads the normal path of having purpose and meaning in life. As one finds more purpose in his life, one is more connected with the culture, tradition, and of course, himself. Another importance of connecting spirituality with substance abuse treatment is the importance of having a higher sense of being, or belief, important in the culture. As it has been studied by Durkheim how religion helps stabilize the society, so does spirituality in a more specific manner. Religion becomes the guideline of the society on what is right or wrong. This is similar to how spirituality works in an individual. As one is more in touch with himself, with the purpose and meaning in his life, one finds himself treading paths of purpose and meaning. Purpose and meaning is robbed from the patient once he is addicted. The only purpose that remains is to feel euphoria when taking drugs. The only meaning in his life becomes the drugs as when one is taking drugs, he feels no pain, no hurt, no frustration but only happiness and a sense of forgetfulness of the reality. This is not spirituality. As was discussed earlier, these are false messages wherein the brain processes interpret it as such because of the confusion and disruption of its communication system. This goes the same with how the mind itself functions, based on a spiritual or psychological sense. The lines between the id, the ego and the superego become blurred. With this, the patient becomes confused as to what is real, what is right and what is meaningful. Because the culture finds importance in religion and meditation, it is important that the spiritual aspect of human life, and society, is studied in relation to one of the longstanding social problems, substance abuse. As one normally functions in life, one finds a deep sense and connection with spirituality, not only through prayers and religion, but in having connection with one’s own self. This is important to be able to function normally. A disruption in this process causes the individual to lose control of himself, and to find himself confused as to what he is supposed to do and who he is supposed to be. This happens when one is intensely addicted to drugs. One tends to forget himself as if his life depends on the drugs, which is not the case, as taking in drugs can be a choice. Studies reveal that spirituality and health is also connected. As one is well in spirit, one feels better physically. This connection is accepted more by patients rather than the doctors as science still cannot find a logical or scientific explanation for this. Although, there are studies wherein the better one’s spiritual well-being is the more he is resistant to disease and disorders. People with a spiritual belief system has a more positive outlook in life, thus they can deal with stressful situations better than those without a spiritual belief system. This is also associated with a greater satisfaction in life. Spirituality incorporates the idea that a belief in something is a protective factor from negative experiences, thus, it is an important part of the recovery program of substance abuse patients (Leukefeld, et. al., 439). Substance abuse patients have a more negative outlook in life, thus they turn to drugs as a way out of reality. With drugs, these patients feel a sense of euphoria or happiness, that they mistake for satisfaction in life. However, as discussed earlier this is just a false message sent to the brain of the patient. In contrast with the practitioners, patients rank spirituality and religion as important aspect in their recovery process. This can be associated with the sense of satisfaction, belongingness and purpose that they find as they undergo the recovery program. This is an important factor to be considered. With spirituality, the patients are able to hold on something real to them as spirituality opens their minds to a meaning for their lives, rather than the false happiness that drugs offer them, which isolates them even more from themselves, their family and their community. Spirituality helps bring a positive outlook in the patient’s lives, making them realize that there is hope in changing for the better. The birth of Alcoholic Anonymous has been significant in the propagation of spirituality as an integral part of the recovery process of substance abusers. It is important to consider, though, that spirituality and substance abuse can be traced back to the Middle Age medicine and psychology. The program of AA has been known to link alcoholism and spirituality, spiritual growth and maturity is believed to be central to recovery as it displaces alcohol and ego (Galanter, 394). The program of AA has no clear end or discharge as it differentiates itself from the usual substance abuse treatments and religion. The 12 step program of AA focuses on acceptance, making amends and reaching spiritual highness, rather than a physical highness similar to what drugs provide. With this, the individual finds within him the strength to combat one human weakness, that is the susceptibility to do what is wrong, against himself, other people and the society. This reconnects the individual with himself, therefore allowing him to find a reason for his existence, rather than just living his daily life without meaning or purpose. The 12 step program of AA reconnects the individual with life itself, as he finds that he can change his ways, he begins to find within him peace and security, important to reconnecting with himself, others and the society. The core experience of spirituality of AA and similar recovery groups is about degeneration, surrender and transformation (McGovern and McMahon, 12). The 12 step program combined with a spiritual program, wherein the patient is exposed in community services and meditation, is more effective as the patient feels a sense of belongingness with a certain group or community. Belongingness is one of the most important factors in turning to substance use. Patients feel alone, thus, looking at drugs as a companion wherein they can feel better alone. This is in fact a rather negative way of facing feelings of loneliness and depression. Participation is a faith-based treatment is voluntary, thus offering an option for the patient. It is not a forced program, it is inline with how the AA bases its program, with no end or termination. AA has become a community for the patient, wherein it creates a sense of belongingness to the patient. With this, there is an increase in participation and involvement important in the recovery process of the patient. Increased participation and involvement proves to be beneficial for the patient as there is little chance for a relapse to happen. This shows an effective recovery program. It is the relationship with the people within the program that increases the involvement and participation of the patient (Thanner, et. al., 234). This further proves that a sense of belongingness is important in the recovery process of a patient. Spiritual bring hope and positive memory to the patients. These are important components of a positive and effective recovery process. It should be remembered that substance abuse causes psychological dysfunction, thus, spirituality reverses this with the positivity and sense of satisfaction and meaning in a patient’s life. Most often than not, patients turn to drugs because of hopelessness, frustration and depression. Spirituality brings back to these patients the hope and meaning that have been lost to them because of the stress and pressures that they have encountered in their lives. Aside from physical dependency, patients have been diagnosed with a psychological dependency on the substances that they abuse. With this, it can be noted that substance abuse becomes their way to happiness. Most patients say that they turned to drug use because of their need to satisfy themselves and to make them happy. Drugs induce in our brains a sense of euphoria, the feeling of being high. With this, patients tend to interpret it as their escape from the harsh realities of their life. Because of their substance abuse, they become addicted to the sense of euphoria that the drugs give them. Eventually, they increase their dosage and frequency of use because they mistakenly view drugs as their only way to be satisfied and happy. Drug users tend to feel a sense of loneliness. With drugs, they feel they can be happy without someone’s help. They turn to drugs as a companion who makes them feel they belong with someone, or in that manner, something. The sense of belongingness is lost with a substance abuser, the more they become dependent on the substance, the more they isolate themselves from their own selves, their family and the community. Spirituality tends to open the patients mind with the belongingness of a community and a family. This has been the environment of the AA program. AA becomes a community, a family for the patient, where they can feel they belong and where they can feel understanding and comfort. AA opens the patient’s mind that they can still control their lives as they accept their weaknesses. It is empowerment for the patient. With the use of spirituality, the patient gains personal strength that they can change for the better, that they can belong to a family, and that they can function normally again. Because humans have the natural need to belong, as the old adage says no man is an island, feelings of depression and loneliness because of different reasons, mainly because of misunderstanding or anger causes an individual to seek the one thing that can provide him the feeling of being full. Because of a psychological imbalance, the abuser tends to believe that using drugs is the only way out to such negative experiences since it masks their reality. When they are on drugs, they are in their own world where no negative vibes can bother them. In reality, there experience becomes even more negative as they become dysfunctional and they tend to separate reality from their lives. The 12 step program and spiritual treatment allows the patients to understand that even if they make mistakes, they can still control their actions and behaviors directed towards amending their mistakes. A person can fail, but it is in their own control already whether they will stand up or not. Spiritual helps in mending these mistakes, as one seeks to make himself whole, he seeks something of which that can give him a true sense of satisfaction. Spirituality, in essence, becomes similar to drugs, although it does not isolate the patient rather it reconnects him with himself, his family and his community. Although far from being the perfect substance abuse treatment, spiritual treatment has its own advantages. This is most effective, especially for patients who have accepted their mistakes and truthfully want to mend their ways. Spiritual growth is important in one’s maturity and self-growth. It may be hard to use this type of treatment with patients who stubbornly deny that they can be whole through spirituality but it is worth a try as spiritual treatment is not bounded by dogmas. Spirituality depends on one’s own persona, one’s own understanding of meaning and purpose in life. Further research should be done in order to fully understand how this kind of treatment can be applied to different types of substance abuse patients. Works Cited Thanner, M., et. al. “Chapter 7: Faith-Based Substance Abuse Treatment as a Form of Informal Social Control: Examining the Impact of Informal Versus Formal Social Controls on Client Outcomes.” Ed. Bennet, L. New Topics in Substance Abuse Treatment. NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2006. Coombs, R. and Howatt, W. The Addiction Counselor’s Desk Reference. NJ: John Wiley and Sons, 2005. Leukefeld, C., et. al. “Chapter 20: Substance Misuse and Abuse.” Eds. Gullota, T. and Adams, G. Handbook of Adolescent Behavioral Problems: Evidence-Based Approaches to Prevention and Treatment. NY: Springer Science and Business Media, Inc., 2005. McGovern, T. and McMahon, T. “Spirituality and Religiousness and Alcohol/Other Drug Problems: Conceptual Framework.” Pyne, H., et. al. “Gender Dimensions of Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Problems in Latin America and the Caribbean.” World Bank Discussion Paper No. 433. Washington, DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2002. Stimmel, B. Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, and the Road to Recovery: Life on the Edge. NY: Haworth Medical Press, 2002. Read More