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A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 41031

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Bernadette Flanagan

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Arts, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland
Interests: spiritual education; spiritual care; spiritual practice; spirituality in dialogue with healthcare, education, aging, addiction, leadership; Contemplative traditions

Dr. Noelia Molina

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Guest Editor

Spirituality Institute for Research and Education, Waterford Institute of Technology, Milltown Park, Dublin 6, Ireland
Interests: psychospiritual maps; spiritual intelligence; spiritual awakening; counselling and spirituality; motherhood and spirituality; spiritual autobiography; soul–friendship

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This issue will include articles and reviews which discuss the longstanding recognition of diverse connections between spirituality and addiction and emerging discussions regarding the spiritual dimensions of addiction treatments. The overall focus will be on the overlaps between the journey into addiction and the spiritual journey, informed by the insight of Carl Jung that addictive craving and the seeking of ultimate meaning may be intimately connected. The multiplicity of forms which addiction can assume in contemporary society will be the scope of the issue.

This issue is intended to advance insight into such issues as:

Textual or ethnographic analysis of historical contributors to the discussion such as Carl Jung; William Griffth Wilson; Robert Holbrook Smith; Bridget Della Mary Gavin (Sister Mary Ignatia); Gerald May; Eileen Fitzgerald (Sr Consilio);
Spiritual aspects of addiction to hurry;
Spiritual recovery programmes for alcohol addiction;
Spiritual interventions for gambling addiction;
Religious, spiritual, and psychological aspects of exercise addiction;
Sex addiction and spiritual seeking;
Ancient spiritual insights to addictions, including the logismoi, deadly sins traditions;
Overlaps between neurological and spiritual aspects of Internet browsing addiction;
Conversion therapies and shopping addiction;
Religious, spiritual, and psychological aspects of pornography addiction;
Inter-spiritual perspectives on drug addiction;
Monastic “ora et labore” implications for work addiction;
Addiction to the spiritual experience—ayahuasca and other entheogens;
Food addictions and the spiritual quest in a historical perspective;
Social media addiction and spiritual authenticity;
Hooked on smokes: how to build a spiritual response;
Prescription drug addiction and spiritual wounds;
Fashion addiction: clothing the soul;
Spiritual bypassing and addiction;
Impulsivity, compulsivity, and spirituality;
Recovery spiritualities;
Soul wounds and addiction;
Effective spiritual practices for engaging addiction.

The overall purpose of the Special Issue will be to extend the range of manifestations of addiction which discuss matters relating to the soul of recovery. Through this extended agenda of forms of addiction, the issue will usefully supplement existing literature on the subject of spirituality and addiction.

Dr. Bernadette Flanagan
Dr. Noelia Molina
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

addictions
soul care
applied spiritualities
spiritual practices
measuring spiritual wellbeing in addiction programmes
faith-based
inter-spirituality
addiction recovery

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 182 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Introduction: Spirituality and Addiction

by Bernadette Flanagan and Noelia Molina

Religions 2022, 13(6), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13060555 - 16 Jun 2022

Viewed by 2267

Abstract

This collection of papers is inspired by years of collaboration in delivering academic programmes in Applied Spirituality [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality and Addiction)

Research

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27 pages, 311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spiritual Addiction: Searching for Love in a Coldly Indifferent World

by Garret B. Wyner

Religions 2022, 13(4), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13040300 - 30 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3055

Abstract

I describe “spiritual” addiction as a felt compulsion to seek surrogates in the absence of that spirit of unconditional love underlying core personality change. We awaken to a “real” world akin to a prison in which all sides seem morally compromised, so any choice seems to necessitate sacrificing our conscientious relationship to the truth. Thus, spiritual addiction runs deeper than physical and psychological addictions to include socially accepted “addictions” to all we associate with “success”—including our morality and religion. All that we seek may be grounded in a collectively imbibed prejudice toward truth itself. If so, such a prejudice, underlying spiritual addiction, compromises our will, reason, feelings, actions, and character—including all of our relationships. It underlies the reality of a collective moral crisis which, we show, is more deeply a religious crisis tempting us to doubt the reality and attainability of that unconditional love that provides a foundation for hope. To overcome the prejudice underlying spiritual addiction, we show how unconditional love can be realized by placing conscientiousness in the foreground of concern as we are guided by the most reliable moral and spiritual witnesses in our history distinct from any religious group claiming to speak in their name. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality and Addiction)

19 pages, 2033 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Religious Beliefs and Attitudes in Intrinsic and Extrinsic Optimism and Pessimism in Players of Games of Chance

by Lisete S. Mónico and Valentim R. Alferes

Religions 2022, 13(2), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13020097 - 20 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3412

Abstract

Games of chance usually make people feel a whirlwind of emotions, especially in gambling. While those games depend more on luck than on individuals’ skills, optimism should be a distinctive feature. Considering the classic literature of the effects of religiosity on risk behaviors, the issue of the influence of religiosity on optimism in players of games of chance has been less studied, especially when we considered optimism as a multidimensional concept comprising intrinsic and extrinsic optimism and pessimism. Aims: To analyze the effect of religious beliefs and attitudes in optimism and pessimism dimensions in players of games of chance and gambling. Method: The sample consists of 271 recurring players of games of chance and gambling, who answered a questionnaire composed of measures of religious beliefs and attitudes, optimism, pessimism, and estimates of future occurrences, evidencing good psychometric properties. Results: Players are moderately religious and more optimistic than pessimistic, estimating a chance of 36% of highly unlikely desirable events. The structural model showed an overall influence of religious beliefs and attitudes higher on optimism (R² = 44%) than on pessimism (R² = 5%). However, the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic optimism has shown that the players anchor their optimism in different kinds of beliefs. Extrinsic desirable events, like winning the lottery, were more predicted by religious beliefs and attitudes in comparison with intrinsic desirable events. Inversely, religious beliefs and attitudes tend to predict more intrinsic pessimism in comparison with intrinsic optimism. Conclusions: Optimism is not a one-dimensional construct, should be analyzed considering the dichotomies of optimism/pessimism and intrinsic/extrinsic. In recurring players of games of chance and gambling, religious beliefs and attitudes predicted more optimism than pessimism, being more associated with extrinsic than intrinsic desirable events. More intrinsically pessimistic players seem to recur to religiosity to anchor their positive expectations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality and Addiction)

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29 pages, 28679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bible Journaling as a Spiritual Aid in Addiction Recovery

by Amanda Dillon

Religions 2021, 12(11), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12110965 - 3 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 6102

Abstract

Bible Journaling is a trend of the past decade whereby readers make creative, visual interventions in their Bibles, using coloured pens and pencils, watercolours, stickers and stencils, highlighting texts of particular resonance. Journaling, in its more conventional written forms, has long been recognised as a pathway to spiritual development. Significantly, Bible journaling is almost exclusively practiced by women and has a high level of interpersonal interaction attached to it, through open and mutual sharing of these creations, through various online social media fora. Gleaned from the sharing of women who journal for spiritual support, this article examines the role Bible journaling plays in aiding recovery from drug addiction. Multimodal analysis is a methodological approach that provides a structured semiotic framework in which to closely examine every feature of a creation such as a journaled page of a Bible, to examine how the journaler has made meaning of a text through their interventions on the page. Appreciating every mark, choice and placement of image, colour, typography as a motivated sign revealing the interest of the creator, the sign-maker, a detailed multimodal analysis is conducted of one page of a recovered drug-user’s journaled Bible. As shall be demonstrated, profound insights into the appropriation of sacred texts for the spiritual life of a recovering addict can be gleaned in this process. Bible journaling reveals itself to be a highly valuable spiritual practice for those in addiction recovery. This interdisciplinary paper uniquely brings a methodological approach from the field of semiotics to the field of spirituality. Both the methodological approach and the subject of sacred text journaling may be of particular interest to spiritual directors, across many religions with a foundational sacred text, as a means whereby adherents can engage with a text in a deep, contemplative and creative practice that is personally, spiritually sustaining and motivating during a difficult phase of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality and Addiction)

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18 pages, 524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Workaholism Phenomenon in Portugal: Dimensions and Relations with Workplace Spirituality

by Lisete S. Mónico and Clara Margaça

Religions 2021, 12(10), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12100852 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2967

Abstract

Workaholism phenomenon affects a quarter of the employed world population. The concept has been used to describe hardworking employees, which is not resulting from external requirements. Considering that organizations with well-developed workplace spirituality have employees more committed to achieving self-development, but also to serve the company, the relationship between workaholism and workplace spirituality is not straightforward, remaining unclear. The principal aim of this research is to analyze the workaholism phenomenon, considering patterns of workaholic and non-workaholic workers and their relationships with dimensions of workplace spirituality. The sample is comprised of a heterogeneous group of 306 Portuguese employees, who were surveyed by the Workaholism Battery, five dimensions of Workplace Spirituality, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Cluster analysis defined three workaholic profiles (24% of the sample), and five non-workaholic profiles. Workplace spirituality dimensions differed according to worker profile and associations with work involvement, work enjoyment, and compulsive work addiction. Enthusiastic addicts and work enthusiasts showed the highest workplace spirituality, contrasting mainly with Reluctant hard worker, Disenchanted workers, and Unengaged workers, but also with work addicts. Workaholism is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, whose dimensions are distinctly related to workplace spirituality. Workplace spirituality development can promote a more balanced and healthy relationship with work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality and Addiction)

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12 pages, 450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous and Religiousness Both Directly and Indirectly through Meaning in Life Lead to Spiritual Experiences?

by Marcin Wnuk

Religions 2021, 12(10), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12100794 - 23 Sep 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2941

Abstract

Spirituality is a key element of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) recovery. However, little is known about the potential religious and secular sources of spiritual experiences in AA fellowship. The aim of the study was to verify if in a sample of AA participants, meaning in life mediates the relationship between their religiousness and spiritual experiences, as well as between their involvement in AA and spiritual experiences. The study sample consisted of 70 Polish AA participants, and the following tools were used: the Alcoholics Anonymous Involvement Scale (AAIS); Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSORFQ); Purpose in Life Test (PIL); two one-item measures regarding frequency of prayer and Mass attendance; and the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) duration of AA participation, which was positively related to involvement in addiction self-help groups and religiousness. Involvement in AA and religiousness were positively related to meaning in life, which in turn positively correlated with spiritual experiences. This research indicated that in a sample of AA participants, finding meaning in life partially mediates the relationship between religiousness and spiritual experiences, as well as fully mediating the relationship between involvement in AA and spiritual experiences. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality and Addiction)

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15 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change, Addiction, and Spiritual Liberation

by Margaret Bullitt-Jonas

Religions 2021, 12(9), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12090709 - 1 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3527

Abstract

Climate scientists have sounded the alarm: The only way to preserve a planet that is generally habitable for human beings is to carry out a transformation of society at a rate and scale that are historically unprecedented. Can we do this? Will we do this? Drawing on her long-term recovery from addiction and on her decades of ministry as a climate activist, the author reflects on how understanding the dynamics of addiction and recovery might inform our efforts to protect the web of life and to bear witness to the liberating God of love who makes all things new. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality and Addiction)

10 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ontological Addiction Theory and Mindfulness-Based Approaches in the Context of Addiction Theory and Treatment

by Paul Barrows and William Van Gordon

Religions 2021, 12(8), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12080586 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3962

Abstract

Buddhist-derived interventions have increasingly been employed in the treatment of a range of physical and psychological disorders, and in recent years, there has been significant growth in the use of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for this purpose. Ontological Addiction Theory (OAT) is a novel metaphysical approach to understanding psychopathology within the framework of Buddhist teachings and asserts that many mental illnesses have their root in the widespread mistaken belief in an inherently existent self that operates independently of external phenomena. OAT describes how different types of MBI can help undermine these beliefs and allow a person to reconstruct their view of self and reality to address the root causes of suffering. As well as proving effective in treating many other psychological disorders, MBIs based on OAT have demonstrated efficacy in treating conventional behavioural addictions, such as problem gambling, workaholism, and sex addiction. The goal of this paper is to (i) discuss and appraise the evidence base underlying the use of MBIs for treating addiction; (ii) explicate how OAT advances understanding of the mechanisms of addiction; (iii) delineate how different types of MBI can be employed to address addictive behaviours; and (iv) propose future research avenues for assessing and comparing MBIs in the treatment of addiction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality and Addiction)

Review

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13 pages, 287 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Significance of ‘the Person’ in Addiction

by Pádraic Mark Hurley

Religions 2021, 12(10), 893; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12100893 - 18 Oct 2021

Viewed by 2609

Abstract

Van Gordon et al. outline the classification of their Ontological Addiction Theory (OAT), including its aetiology and treatment. In this review article I will from an appreciative perspective question some of its fundamental assumptions by presenting an alternative view on the ontology of ‘the person’, as distinct from its presently assumed conventional conflation with a contracted separate egoic self. I will propose this view as structurally and ethically significant for the ‘embodied’ experience of a reconstructed “dynamic and non-dual self”, as cultivated in their treatment. Rather than this reconstructed self simply being socially desirable for functional purposes, I will underscore the meaning-generative case for ontological status, in the absence of which, a pervasive ‘sense of lack’ is evident, with all attendant individual, psychological, social, ecological and ethical implications. This article brings a developmental psychology perspective to bear in appreciating ‘personhood’ as an emergent, progressively realised and is thus similarly aligned with the intent of OAT in overcoming egoic addictive suffering. This mapping of the territory however populates a blind spot in OAT’s diagnosis by affirming unique personhood, a quality of ‘integrative presence’, meaningfully understood as a psycho-spiritual ontological reality. It offers, as with OAT’s stated intent, the merit of avoiding attendant mental health and developmental pitfalls, which can beset what we may discern as an implicit transcendental reductionist assumption operative in OAT, where ‘the many’ are reduced to ‘the One’ and there are, it is assumed, no real many. This framing is resonant with the lived experience of healthy ‘individuation’, a process distinct from the problematic phenomenon of ‘individualism’, evidenced by the empirical data on post-conventional human development, which potentially provides diagnostic markers for any optimal treatment discernment. It is also attuned to what many recognise as a contemporary Fourth Turning in Buddhism, in its conscious evolutionary recognition of the emergence in non-dual states of a ‘unique personal perspective’, and/or a relative individuation within the whole. This differentiation has formerly been interpreted through an ‘impersonal’ lens as an egoic holdover, and potentially inhibits ethical action in the world, as distinct from the ethical import and potential fruits stemming from the ontological affirmation of the person. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality and Addiction)

Other

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21 pages, 303 KiB

Open AccessEssay

A Psychospiritual Exploration of the Transpersonal Self as the Ground of Healing

by Monique M. Verrier

Religions 2021, 12(9), 725; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12090725 - 5 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6131

Abstract

This paper focuses on the transpersonal Self as the psychological and spiritual healing factor in psychotherapy and addiction recovery, and illustrates the importance of bringing awareness of the Self and the energy of wholeness into focus with clients in the therapeutic process. The concept and experience of Self is explored through the psychospiritual therapeutic model of Internal Family Systems and through a spiritual lens of the nondual wisdom traditions derived from Advaita Vedanta and aspects of Kashmir Shaivism. Obstacles to the recognition of Self, approaches to facilitating this recognition, and the therapeutic benefits of knowing the essential Self are examined through the author’s personal experience with these models and their use in overcoming depression, anxiety, eating disorders and addiction. Psychotherapeutic interventions that support making contact with the Self are examined as well as the implications of Self-knowing on personal relationships, behavior and inner experiences, as well as how one relates to others and the world. Full article

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