Relapse and spirituality: spiritual well-being and quality of life as a critical factor in maintaining recovery from alcohol addiction

Plan BThe purpose of this study was to examine if alcoholics in recovery who demonstrate higher spirituality scores and quality of life, as measured by the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (1982), have less problems associated with alcohol dependency relapse, as indicated on the New Journey Programs Survey (1999). The study sought to determine whether any correlation exists between spiritual well-being/ quality of life of alcoholics in recovery who have maintained sobriety compared with those who have relapsed. The subjects involved in this study were court-ordered and voluntary individuals who had undergone alcohol outpatient treatment in a counseling clinic in northwestern Wisconsin. The subjects surveyed had received alcohol outpatient treatment at some point during September 1, 1994 to September 1, 1999. The study was designed to determine the levels of spiritual well-being and quality of life in alcoholics and correlation between those alcoholics who have relapsed and not relapsed. The results of the study indicated that (1) there were statistically significant differences in the spiritual well-being of alcoholics who have completed treatment when comparing the relapsed and sober groups; (2) consistent with the literature, the findings indicated alcoholics who are in a program of recovery which advocates spiritual and behavioral changes demonstrate improved spiritual well-being and quality of life as well as the skills and ability to prevent relapse; and, (3) there was a correlation between higher spiritual well-being/quality of life scores and the maintenance of relapse-free sobriety