Spirituality and the health professional

Subst Use Misuse. 2013 Sep;48(12):1174-9. doi: 10.3109/10826084.2013.803883.

Abstract

The inclusion of spirituality in addictions recovery began with the 12-steps program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Cofounded by Bill Wilson, the 12-steps' spiritual orientation is based on Wilson's own recovery from alcoholism that was associated with a spiritual experience. His correspondence with Carl Jung, who verified the importance of Wilson's experience, empowered Wilson to make spirituality central to the 12 steps. Spirituality remains a source of misunderstanding between the scientific, empirically informed mental health community, and the 12-step recovery movement. This article offers an outline of spiritual development, based on neuroscience, which the professional can utilize in the spiritual aspect of a patient's recovery.

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholics / psychology*
  • Alcoholics Anonymous*
  • Alcoholism / psychology
  • Alcoholism / therapy*
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Spirituality*