Date of Award

6-2018

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Sapozhnikov, Brooklyn

Abstract

There is extensive literature available on the topic of recovery from alcohol abuse. The research focus of this study explores diverse ways in which the practice of faith and spirituality in any form have affected individuals’ recovery and wellness from a post-positivist perspective. The following question is addressed: How does faith and spirituality impact the recovery process and wellness of alcohol abusers? The study was conducted by interviewing volunteer members of three Alcoholics Anonymous mutual-help groups located in Southern California. Participants were asked 15 open ending questions interview. The study uses open and axial coding for analysis. The indirect variables (IV) for this study are faith and spirituality and the direct variables (DV) are recovery and wellness. Qualitative data has been analyzed using Nvivo data analysis software. Some of the themes that emerged from the interviews after coding were family history, willingness to recover, sense of hope, acquired coping skills, belonging to a healing community, and long-lasting sobriety. The analysis of the interviews and these themes showed a positive correlation between the practice of faith and spirituality and recovery and wellness among the pool of participants. Alcoholics with three or more years attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings reported that they earned at least one year of sobriety through being willing to recover, having a sense of hope, the practice of new skills and spiritual tools, being consistent in attending the group meetings, and being at service of other alcoholics.

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