Future of God in recovery from drug addiction.

The paper argues that the concept of a higher power, whether experienced through religion, spirituality, entheogens, or cognitive behavioral development, plays an important role in recovery from drug addiction. It integrates five threads of literature: the universality of God experiences, spiritual experiences induced by hallucinogenic drugs, the evolutionary neurobiology of addiction, the 12 Step movement's use of God, and ingredients for successful recovery. A common final pathway is the strengthening of executive functions, described as the brain's 'higher power'. Practical implications for helping people recover through their own experience of God or development of a higher power are outlined.

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.