Alcohol and/or drug use

evaluating spiritual and religious aspects

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate spiritual and religious aspects in drug and/or alcohol users. It is a descriptive, exploratory study using a quantitative approach. A total of 138 men participated, all with links to rehabilitation institutions or support groups, responding to a socio-demographic questionnaire, the AUDIT-C, and to the Brazilian version of the Spirituality Self Rating Scale. In the sample, 47.1% were alcohol users, 52.9% drug users. The results demonstrated differences between the groups concerning religious aspects: the alcohol users were Catholics (63.1%) or did not practice any religion (50.8%) and the drug users were evangelical (43.1%) or practicing a religion (72.2%). With regards aspects of spiritual practice, no differences were found between the groups. Both were shown to distinguish between the concepts of religiosity and spirituality. The findings broadened understanding of how the nurse can implement care which takes into consideration subjective aspects of the psycho-active substance user in their day-to-day practices.