An Exploratory Study of Spiritual Orientation and Adaptation to Therapeutic Community Treatment

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which spiritual orientation was associated with adaptation to therapeutic community treatment. Spiritual orientation was assessed by the Spirituality Self-Rating Scale, a measure consistent with the conceptualization of spirituality typically reflected in Alcoholics Anonymous members’ views. Spiritual orientation was positively correlated with acceptance of therapeutic community principles and clinical progress. Further assessment of spirituality related characteristics and their relation to treatment outcomes is important in informing the design of interventions aimed at improving progress in the therapeutic community, particularly those aspects involving the relative value of integrating the 12-Step group approach in therapeutic community programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Spirituality
• treatment outcomes
• therapeutic community
• recovery

This research was supported by the John Templeton Foundation and the Bodman Foundation.