This scoping review explores the role of spirituality in substance use disorders (SUD) across psychological, biological and cultural dimensions. It reviews research on topics including spiritual awakening, drug craving, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, biological and neurological aspects of spiritual experiences, and the ways spirituality is understood across different cultural settings.

The review also considers the distinction between spirituality and religion and the role of spirituality in building recovery capital. While existing research points to several potentially important...

This scoping review examines the role of spirituality in substance use disorders across three interconnected areas: psychology, biology, and culture. It explores topics including spiritual awakening, the relationship between spirituality and drug craving, spirituality in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and the psychological ways in which people understand substance use and recovery.

The review also considers biological research on spiritual experiences and brain processes, as well as cultural differences in how spirituality and religion relate to substance use and recovery. It highlights...

This qualitative study explores how spiritual experiences contribute to recovery from substance use disorders among 24 people who completed Christian faith-based rehabilitation programmes in Norway. Participants described experiencing loss of identity, hopelessness, and emotional distress before entering rehabilitation.

Within faith-based communities, experiences of forgiveness, belonging, and unconditional acceptance were described as important spiritual turning points. Participants associated these experiences with renewed meaning, dignity, and a changed sense of identity. The study...

This study describes an Islamic-inspired methadone maintenance treatment programme delivered in a mosque setting for 36 Muslim men who used heroin. The programme combined methadone treatment with peer support and religious counselling, exploring whether mosques could provide an accessible community setting for substance use treatment and longer-term recovery support.

After 12 months, the programme had an 80% retention rate, and all but one participant tested negative for opioids and other substances. Participants also reported reductions in substance use and improvements in general health and...

This study examines how religious support during and after incarceration influences substance use and recidivism among people returning to the community. Using data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative, the authors distinguish between individuals' initial levels of religious support while incarcerated and changes in religious support after release.

The findings show that increases in religious support during reentry are associated with lower levels of substance use after release. While baseline religious support alone did not reduce substance use or offending, individuals...

This book chapter explores the role of faith-based interventions in preventing and reducing gang violence in Trinidad and Tobago. Drawing on the experiences of a criminologist and a religious leader, it argues that gang violence should be viewed not only as a criminal justice issue but also as a community challenge that requires coordinated responses from multiple sectors.

The chapter describes faith-based initiatives implemented in a community affected by gang violence and highlights how religious organizations can contribute through community engagement, social support, mentorship, and...

This study explores the relationship between religiosity and substance use patterns among women involved in the criminal justice system. Using data from women participating in a drug court programme in the United States, the researchers found that higher levels of religiosity were associated with a lower likelihood of cocaine use, either alone or in combination with cannabis.

The findings suggest that religiosity may serve as a protective factor for some forms of substance use, although the same association was not observed for cannabis use alone. Other factors linked to substance use...

This study examines the relationship between religiosity and crime using data from the 2015 visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia. By analysing daily crime reports before, during, and after the visit, the researchers found a significant reduction in less serious crimes, particularly drug-related offences, during the week of the visit and for several weeks afterward.

The effects were strongest in historically Christian neighbourhoods, suggesting that increased religious engagement or community cohesion may have influenced behaviour. The study also compared the findings with President Obama’s...

This study reviews evidence on the role of faith and spirituality in preventing substance use and supporting recovery. It highlights that many addiction treatment programs in the United States include a spiritual component, particularly through 12-step models that emphasize support from a Higher Power.

The research finds that faith-based recovery programs and congregation-led support groups provide significant social and economic value, contributing substantial savings through volunteer-led recovery support services. Most studies reviewed also suggest that faith is generally associated with...