Really interesting piece of research by Gila Chen, looking at the effectiveness of different therapeutic programs as part of a process of rehabilitation for recovering addicts.
The research piexe was published in The International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminolgy and was entitled Social Support, Spiritual Program, and Addiction Recovery.
Abstract
This study compared personal and emotional modifications of inmates who were recovering addicts and who participated in one of two year-long therapeutic intervention programs, one including social support and experiential spiritual program components (Narcotics Anonymous, NA, meetings and the 12-step course), the other including primarily social support (NA meetings only, without the 12-step program). The hypothesis was that supplementing social support programs with a concrete spiritual program would result in more positive personal and emotional changes. The results seem to support the hypothesis: Inmates participating in the 12-step program demonstrated a higher sense of coherence and meaning in life and a gradual reduction in the intensity of negative emotions (anxiety, depression, and hostility) than those participating in NA meetings without the 12-step program. The research findings demonstrate the importance of the 12-step program as part of a rehabilitation process for drug addicts.
Full reference using the Harvard refering system
Chan G ( 2006) : Social Support, Spiritual Program, and Addiction Recovery. The International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminolgy, vol 50, No3, 306/323
Doi: 1177/0306624×05279038
For Full Article, click here