This meta-analysis synthesises evidence from 55 longitudinal studies involving more than 540,000 participants to examine the relationship between spirituality and harmful or hazardous alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. The findings demonstrate a consistent protective association, with spirituality linked to a 13% reduction in the risk of alcohol and other drug use across prevention and recovery outcomes. Among individuals who regularly participated in spiritual or religious communities, the protective effect increased to an 18% reduction in risk.

The review found that nearly all included...

This article explores how faith-based recovery programs combine spiritual support with evidence-based addiction treatment to help people achieve and maintain recovery. These programs integrate religious beliefs and practices with services such as detoxification, counselling, behavioural therapies, rehabilitation, and aftercare.

Faith-based approaches may provide additional benefits through shared values, community support, accountability, and opportunities to address feelings of shame and stigma often associated with substance use disorders. The article also highlights a range of faith...

This European guide by EUDA highlights the importance of addressing dual disorders, where mental health conditions and substance use disorders occur at the same time. These co-occurring conditions are common and often lead to poorer health outcomes, increased social marginalisation, and more complex recovery pathways.

The guide emphasizes that effective responses require integrated and coordinated care, bringing together mental health services, addiction treatment, medication management, and social support. It also highlights the value of early identification, personalised treatment plans...

This study examines how changes in religiosity influence recovery outcomes among people in addiction treatment. It finds that individuals in faith-based programs show higher and increasing levels of religiosity over time, which is linked to better abstinence outcomes after treatment.

While both faith-based and secular programs provide similar clinical support (e.g. counseling, social support), faith-based approaches add a strong spiritual dimension, which appears to strengthen long-term recovery. The findings highlight that religiosity is not static—its development over time plays an...