Forgiveness and Alcohol Use: Applying a Specific Spiritual Principle to Substance Abuse Problems
Document Type
Review
Publication Date
3-1-2010
Description
Objectives: To show forgiveness to be a central component in substance abuse and recovery and to encourage the empirical investigation of such realtionships. Methods: Literature reviewed and synthesized to support the role of forgiveness in addiction and recovery and to justify its empirical investigation. Results: The construct and process of forgiveness are present in 12-Step Facilitation Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Coping Skills Therapy, and other psychotherapies applicable to the treatment of substance abuse. Nevertheless, few studies exist to provide empirical support for these relationships. Conclusions: Religion and spirituality can have a salutary effect on substance use disorders. However, little is known regarding the effects of specific manifestations of religiosity and spirituality. Forgiveness, decreasing negative responses to offense irrespective of interaction with the offender, has been argued to be highly relevant to problematic substance use. Although the process of forgiveness is conceptually found in empirically validated forms of treatment for alcohol problems, little quantitative evidence exists to verify and illuminate the relationships between forgiveness and substance abuse. Empirical investigation into the basic, indirect, contextual, and interventional relationships between forgiveness and substance use disorders, including development, maintenance, and recovery, is warranted and encouraged.
Citation Information
Webb, Jon R.; and Trautman, Richard P.. 2010. Forgiveness and Alcohol Use: Applying a Specific Spiritual Principle to Substance Abuse Problems. Addictive Disorders and their Treatment. Vol.9(1). 8-17. https://doi.org/10.1097/ADT.0b013e318195000d ISSN: 1531-5754