Abstract
This is a report from a longitudinal study of chronic drug and alcohol addicts in treatment at Beit T'shuvah Synagogue's recovery centre in California. The research asks: How does it work? What works for whom? What does spirituality have to do with it? A basic assumption is that addicts suffer from one (or more) structural splits: a split between affect and logic or a split between self and context. Effective treatment is construed as recovering integrity, mending the split(s). The study reports an analysis of 28 semi-clinical interviews with male and female chronic drug addicts, mean age 34 (range 20–78). We analysed the interviews in terms of (i) structural splits, (ii) relational and contextual reasoning (RCR): recognising, reconciling and transcending apparently contradictory views and experiences; (iii) experiences of spiritual awakening. In terms of the trajectory from (i) to (ii) and (iii), we classified respondents as either ‘stuck in the split’ (chronic disintegration); or integrity recovered. Finally, based on the analysis of these data, we provide a theoretical roadmap from divided self to recovered integrity.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
