NCJ Number
225541
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: Summer 2008 Pages: 911-928
Date Published
2008
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between reliance on faith across time and substance use, criminal behavior, and self-reported addiction severity in a sample of Kentucky Drug Court clients.
Abstract
Results of the study suggest that it is not merely the endorsement or acceptance of a faith-based belief system that benefits the individual, but rather the persistence or stability with which these views are held over time that makes the most difference with regard to decreasing levels of substance use and, to a marginal extent, criminal behavior. Therefore, by either specifically cultivating stability in prosocial attitudes or focusing prevention and treatment on aspects of attitudes or belief systems, clinicians may be able to effect more long term and stable change with regard to promoting positive behavioral outcomes in substance users. Faith-based attitudes have become the focus of increasing attention in the drug abuse treatment literature. However, relatively little research has accumulated on the temporal stability of individuals’ faith and its importance before and following initiation of the therapeutic process. This study examined persistence in turning to faith across time as a predictor of substance use, criminal behavior, and perceived addiction severity in a sample of 500 Kentucky Drug Court participants. It was hypothesized that individuals who reported a greater reliance on the portion of their faith that remained persistent across the 2-year duration of their drug court involvement would report less substance use, criminal behavior, and addiction severity at the final 24-month followup interview. Tables, figure, and references