A new study shows that spiritual practices are associated with a reduced risk of hazardous drug and alcohol use.
Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published the findings Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry. Researchers used meta-analysis — combining data from multiple independent studies — to examine the relationship between spirituality and substance abuse.
Dr. Howard Koh, professor of public health leadership and lead author of the study, said the meta-analysis reviewed 500,000 participants across 55 studies conducted since 2000.
Koh said the findings suggest that spirituality may play a meaningful role in health outcomes.
“It showed that spirituality is associated with many improved outcomes, ranging from reduced depression and suicide risk to improved overall mortality,” Koh said.
The analysis found that “broad spiritual practices” — ranging from attending religious services to meditation to prayer — were associated with a 13% reduced risk of hazardous drug and alcohol use. Regular religious service attendance was associated with an 18% reduced risk.
Koh said that a growing number of people in our country would say they are spiritual, rather than religious, and that they believe in a soul. Such beliefs appear play a role in public health.
“Health is more than just the body and the mind. It’s about aligning the body, mind, and soul,” Koh said.
However, he made a distinction between spirituality and religion, and that it’s important not to try and impose any one set of beliefs in fighting drug abuse.
“We often like to point out that spirituality may involve, but doesn’t require, religion,” he said. “Spirituality is necessary for religion, but religion is not necessarily for spirituality.”
Spirituality in 12-step programs
Spirituality has long been a core part of 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, which rely on belief in a “higher power” in reducing addictive behavior. However, there are other programs designed to help people overcome a pattern of drug and alcohol abuse that do not specifically advocate spirituality.
Smart Recovery USA, founded more than 30 years ago, uses a secular and science-based program to emphasize building a balanced life as individuals try to navigate and reduce or resolve addictive behavior. Smart Recovery holds nationwide nonprofit meetings in Boston and around the country.
“I think the key thing for us is that people have the freedom to choose the language and the belief systems that work for them that align with their values,” said Pete Rubinas, executive director of Smart Recovery. “And that they are not prescribed to have to follow a specific set of beliefs in order to pursue a recovery journey.”
Rubinas said about 90% of treatment programs in the U.S. use the 12- step approach, but that it’s important to allow people to choose the language and their own belief systems that work for them.
He said that primary care and other clinicians need to be aware that secular programs are out there.
“There’s all these different ways of conceptualizing addictive behavior and how one can recover from addictive behavior. And for me, the single most important thing is that people have choices, that they’re presented with options, that their informed about what’s available,” Rubinas said.
Researchers said it’s helpful for clinicians to ask patients about the role of spirituality in their lives in order to address factors driving substance abuse, stress, loneliness or loss of meaning.
Koh points to how the role of spirituality — including but not limited to religion — helps in supporting overall health and wellbeing.
“It helps clinicians view patients more holistically when you’re understanding that a person finds value and meaning and purpose in their lives,” he said.
