Spirituality may protect against problematic alcohol and drug use

Everyday Health interviewed David Holmes about recent research that suggests a correlation between active spirituality and reduced alcohol use. “This study confirms what many people have known for decades,” said Holmes, who cited the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as one example. “The 12 Steps are spiritual in nature,” he explained, and they “have helped countless numbers of people all over the world to be successful in their recovery.” Holmes has researched the impact of spirituality in addiction medicine, and found that prayer was helpful for people in an opioid addiction recovery program.