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There is increased interest in spirituality and the role it plays in helping individuals with histories of trauma and addiction heal and recover. Using the Case Study method, the purpose of this study was to highlight the ways 26 African American women with histories of trauma and substance abuse used spirituality during the recovery process. Data analysis revealed components of a spiritual process that were used to facilitate healing and recovery. The first component, reclaiming spirituality, involved helping women reclaim and reconnect to their spirituality or spiritual practices that brought them solace and comfort. Finding meaning, the second component, consisted of helping the women find meaning and purpose for their lives. Trusting the process, the third component entailed building the women's capacity to trust the process and to a lesser extent, surrender. Finally, active faith involved helping the women learn to rely on their faith in God rather than turning to drugs when obstacles and challenges arose. This study's findings revealed that spirituality can be an effective tool that promotes and facilitates recovery. Nonetheless, professionals need to recognize that not all women want to develop and nurture a spiritual life and that they must take their lead from them.
Keywords: spirituality, substance abuse treatment, African American women, trauma, case study
AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN HAVE RELIED ON SPIRITUALITY (E.G. individual's belief, faith in, and personal relationship with God/ higher power that transcends human limitations, restores them to well-being, and loves them unconditionally) to cope with unimaginable experiences such as slavery, racism, domestic violence, rape, as well as other forms of interpersonal trauma (i.e. childhood and adult victimization that causes significant psychological distress and functional impairment) (Brome, Owens, Allen, & Vevaina, 2000; Bryant-Davis, 2005; Potter, 2007; Stevens-Watkins, Sharma, Knighton, Oser, & Leukefeld, 2014). Spirituality is a significant part of many African American women's daily lives. They derive a great deal of fulfillment and solace from their religious practices and faith in God (Ahrens, Abeling, Ahmad, & Hinman, 2009; Hooks, 2003; Stevens-Watkins et al., 2014; Yick, 2008).
Moreover, spirituality can counter the negative effects of oppression and trauma as well as contribute to positive mental health outcomes among African American women (Brome et al., 2000; Paranjape & Kaslow, 2010; Washington, Moxley, Garriot, & Weinberger, 2009; Watlington &...