Uncovering the Container of Spirituality: The Manifestation of Spirituality in Recovery

Transcription

1 Uncovering the Container of Spirituality: The Manifestation of Spirituality in Recovery Cynthia Dsauza, Ph.D., LMFTA George Comiskey, PsyD., LCDC, ICPS Neli Morris, M.S. Nick Hayes, B.S., LCDCi Association of Recovery in Higher Education Thursday, April 7 th

2 Overview Welcome Objectives Introduction to the research landscape Spirituality research project Resources

3 Objectives Participants will be able to describe the current literature on the importance spirituality in emerging adults in recovery. Participants will be able to explain the process of spiritual change in recovery in a CRC population. Participants will be able to list several ways in which CRPs can incorporate spiritual processes in programming.

4 Background Dr. Kitty Harris Collaboration through Recovery Research Cluster ADRS, CFAS, MFT Faculty, graduate and undergrad students Inform treatment/programming

5 Spirituality vs Religiosity Spirituality: The search for meaning in life events and yearning for connectedness to the universe (Coles, 1990) Religion: A set of beliefs and practices related to the issue of what exists beyond the visible world (Random House Dictionary)

6 Background Lack of research With respect to recovery In young adults Spirituality 12 Steps are spiritually based Meetings serve as an introduction to incorporating spirituality in life Every step is based on a spiritual principle Integrity, willingness, humility Meeting attendance drops after treatment (White, 2009) 50% dropped out at 6m post treatment Another 10% dropped out at 12m post treatment

7 What DO we know? Spirituality in young people (Age:15-31/Recovery time:2-16)- Meetings are an opportunity to learn spiritual principles (humility, honesty, forgiveness) (Dadich, 2007) Defined as more of a We than a Me (Benson, 2007) More of a sense of connection to one another/god/higher Power There are many paths to spirituality (mediation, prayer, worship, reading, nature, service, etc.) (Benson, 2007; Dadich, 2007) Connection with HP provides a sense of purpose and value (Margolis, Kilpatrick and Mooney, 2000) 12 Step recovery language is too abstract or complicated to understand or identify with (White, 2009; Dadich, 2007) Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out

8 Introduction to the Research

9 Who did we study? Young people Lack of research especially in this particular area Dynamic stage of life lots of stress Developmental attributes identity seeking, forming intimate partnerships Culture technology, instant gratification, low threshold for frustration Educational environment CRP students

10 Methods/procedures of Current Research Project Demographic information 14 participants; 7 males, 7 females Average age: 24 (range: 20-28) Average sobriety length: 3.18 years Race/ethnicity: 12 Caucasian, 2 Hispanic Procedure Recruited through the Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities Brief demographic questionnaire 30 min 1 hour long interviews, audio recorded Phenomenological approach: exploring the lived experience

11 Phenomenology A phenomenological study describes the common meaning for several individuals of their lived experiences of a concept or phenomenon. (Creswell, 2007) Essence of a Phenomenon: Personal Bracketing/Epoch- Personal experience with the phenomenon. Significant statements- How individuals are experiencing the phenomenon. Meaning Units- Group into larger themes. Textural Description- Description of what the phenomenon is. Structural Description- Description of how the phenomenon is experienced.

12 What did we find? Practices Values Feelings Assumptions Community Growth

13 Practices Findings What is Spirituality? 12 Step work Daily Practice How I go about day-to-day life, like in different interactions and what I do when people aren t looking. I m not going to be an asshole just because no one is there to see it. Physical exercise/yoga Working out, as weird as that might sound, has been a big part of my spiritual component, and I do a lot of yoga. Being present in the moment The way that I practice spirituality is trying to do it in every moment of my life of working on mindfulness and awareness and So I guess it would be hard to see, but for me I try to stay grounded in the moment and that s a huge part of my spirituality. Prayer/Church You know, it s kind of like just part of my everyday life, you know, I m walking and I ll pray. Self-exploration When I learn about myself through those experiences I get this like sense of like I get this sense of like there is something greater than me. I would explain it as a spiritual experience because I feel very connected when I learn more about myself and I feel like my higher power is working in different areas to show me some of the things I need to see.

14 Findings What is Spirituality? Values Honesty Integrity Humility Patience Acceptance Willingness Doing the next right thing Golden rule How they are experienced Actions Integrity is one that I m really working on right now. It s like showing up like being where I m gonna say I m gonna be if I tell someone I m gonna be there. Practice in own life Integrity really to me just means doing the right thing when no one else is looking. Practice in community To be kind and loving and tolerant and patient and to give back to the world today instead of taking from it. Didn t have it before I used to lie like it was second nature to me. If someone asked me my favorite color, I d like about it for no reason at all and of course I d lie about more serious stuff too. [...] Not it s like I feel this intense pang inside of me when I don t tell the truth and then I immediately feel the need to correct it and that still happens.

15 Findings What is Spirituality? Describe your HP Grounded in religion Personal friend/parent My higher power, to me, is like the perfect parent, the one that has unconditional love no matter the situation I put myself in. Personification Thriving hope from other people Presence Energy behind everything, Universe, Something ultimately bigger than me Transcendental Something that s infinite nature and I don t really think that my finite mind can wrap around the concept of something being infinite. Feelings about HP Negative/confused Sometimes amazing euphoria, sometimes confusion, sometimes frustration, sometimes exhaustion. Neutral I feel pretty neutral towards it, I don t like...i know that things are going to be ok. Positive Acceptance, comfort, contentment, enlightenment, joy, love, peace, safety, serenity and tranquility I feel that I experience this deep joy, abundance of love, it s really cool to talk about it with people. I really enjoy it because I just get really hopeful and excited. It s love, it s caring, it s understanding...now the skies, the skies are brighter, the skies are bluer.

16 Assumptions Findings What is Spirituality? Connection and relationship I assume that this power will continually surprise me. [...] I believe that this power loves me unconditionally, wants me to do the best that I can and be the best that I can and to be happy. I will at least be sober and that whatever life throws at me, I ll be able to handle it. Opportunity and guidance I don t try to assume anything will be done for me. I think it gives me guidance and I have to put in the footwork to continue moving forward. If I m open and self-aware then this power will guide me, will provide everything I need to fulfill I guess what my soul is here to do.

17 Findings Stepping into the container of spirituality A place to hold the different aspect of our spirituality Isn t always accessed What is the container of spirituality? Spiritual practice Multifaceted Dynamic

18 Stepping into the container of spirituality: Childhood Spirituality in Family Only certain members Social appearances Religious but not spiritual No religions and/or spirituality

19 Stepping into the container of spirituality: Before Addiction Spirituality None Religious but not spiritual Confused about spirituality Guilt over lack of connection Moments Fear 911 Prayer, Foxhole Prayer Own Ends Sadness, Stress It was never like Thank you for this day, it was like please make a miracle happen. When my heart was being broken.

20 Stepping into the container of spirituality: During Addiction Spirituality None Vague connection Negative emotions Just putting everything in a box and saying that this was made up to make people feel more comfortable about themselves. I was homeless, I still had some sort of sense that things were happening for a greater good or for some sort of reason that was going to help me find my way. I was incapable of doing it because of hatred I built up toward myself. Moments After bad experiences Despair Fear Selfishness None It was enough of a band-aid that I would get through the night. I was like, Why can t you just let me die? Please just let me die. If there is a God, let me die.

21 Stepping into the container of spirituality: Early Recovery Spirituality Moments Words or Actions Where Going through motions On fire Searching All the time Emotional times For others Never Step-work Prayer Reading Family 12-Steps Church, treatment center Personal experiences I did what felt right, Trial and error

22 Stepping into the container of spirituality: Present Spirituality Moments Words or Actions Where Not as consistent/structured Realization of process Still working on it, still work in process. Way of life, more consistent What I think life should be, Biggest it s ever been Guidance, wholeness Emotional times Other centered Step-work Creativity Meditation, Mindfulness Prayer 12-Step Community, other people Personal experience, reading

23 Value of Spirituality in Recovery I know that is the only reason that I m sober. I owe my recovery really to my spirituality and higher power because that s not something that I know I can do by myself. I feel ok about it because I created an alarm system. When I notice something s wrong, I call my sponsor; when I notice something s wrong, I pray about it; when I notice something s wrong, I go to a meeting. I think spirituality has given me the awareness that actually being a better person makes me happier. Central to recovery Contributes to recovery Staying Sober

24 Tools for your community Who is your student? Why bring up spirituality? Peer support What stage are they in the journey Pre-addiction Moments of spiritual need Disconnect from HP A sense of desperation During addiction Presence of hope Motivation to change Early Recovery Define, challenge and explore options Explore the lived experience Recovery now (2-5 years) Its okay to be out of the pink cloud Explore the experience of living life Life in recovery can be full (and overwhelming) and out of balance Define a new sense of spirituality Where are you accessing this now?

25 Content vs. Process How important is it for you to be connected in spirituality? What does your community provide for your students content? Safety Support How is your community engaging your students process in a positive way? Community Love How can you move forward? Research Creating the right environment Encourage spiritual questioning

26 Additional Information Handout: Glossary of important terms/stages of change/12-steps Resources: Breathing Under Water Spirituality of Imperfection One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the 12 Steps Sacred Connections: Islam and the 12 Steps/A Hunger for Healing

27 Questions