Future of God in recovery from drug addiction.

Summary

A review of diverse literature suggests that experiencing a higher power—whether through religion, spirituality, entheogens, or cognitive behavioral development—can aid recovery from drug addiction. This higher power may ultimately strengthen the brain's executive functions, acting as a common final pathway. The paper outlines practical ways to help individuals with addiction use their own experience of God or higher power to support recovery.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper was to explore the concept and experience of God in relation to recovery from drug addiction from a scientific perspective. Examination of a diverse literature was undertaken, including five key threads: the universality of the experience of God; the induction of spiritual experiences of God through hallucinogenic drugs; the nature of drug addiction from an evolutionary neurobiological perspective; the 12 Step movement as the prototype for the place of God in recovery from drug addiction; and identified ingredients for successful recovery from addiction. The diverse threads of literature examined can be integrated around the concept of higher power as an important factor in recovery from drug addiction. Higher power can be manifested in individuals in diverse ways: religious, ethnic, spiritual including the use of entheogens, as well as cognitive behavioural development, but a common final pathway for all is the strengthening of executive functions (the brain's 'higher power'). Practical implications for assisting people with drug addiction to achieve recovery through their own experience of God/development of higher power are outlined.