NCJ Number
217000
Journal
Journal of Addictive Diseases Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Dated: 2006 Pages: 125-132
Date Published
2006
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Using 1993-1996 data from a study of the Baltimore (Maryland) Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA), this study examined whether and how an individual's spirituality influenced his/her substance-abuse symptoms.
Abstract
The study found that "spirituality"--defined as "almost always" or "often" seeking God's help and direction in making life-management decisions and relying on beliefs about God in setting priorities--was significantly negatively linked to current substance abuse symptoms. Thus, people with s strong spiritual orientation were less likely to use or abuse drugs. There was a strong and statistically significant positive link between spirituality and sobriety, regardless of substance-abuse treatment history. The Baltimore ECA Follow-Up survey was composed of 703 males and 1,198 females. Participants' spirituality was assessed with questions that inquired about whether beliefs about God and God's guidance for decisions were important for them. Symptoms of excessive substance use were determined by participants' responses to 24 questions about their substance-use patterns. The questions corresponded to DSM-III-R criteria used to assess substance abuse or dependence. Potential confounding variables examined included age, sex, race-ethnicity, marital status, and educational level. Also considered were several environmental influences, such as financial stress, neighborhood safety, home ownership, and history of seeking substance abuse treatment. 2 tables and 38 references