Newswise, August 15, 2015 — One of the most commonly
used treatment models in addiction is the 12-step model developed in the 1930s
and rooted in spirituality. Yet, surprisingly, there is no clear understanding
about how to nurture spirituality among people struggling with addictions.
In a unique study titled “Attachment Style,
Spirituality, and Depressive
Although adult attachment styles and spirituality have been shown to be
protective factors against depressive symptoms among individuals in treatment
for substance use disorders, no studies to date have examined how these two
factors together are related to depressive symptoms in this population.
Horton, Luna and Malloy looked at how adult
attachment styles (secure vs. insecure) and two distinct spirituality
dimensions (existential purpose/meaning in life and religious well-being or the
perceived relationship with God) are associated with depressive symptoms.
Working in collaboration with BHOPB, a substance abuse
treatment center in Palm Beach County, Horton, Luna and Malloy developed a
research model that looks at how creativity, service and solitude can be used
in addiction treatment to foster purpose and meaning in life. They found that
encouraging people’s creative talents (painting, writing), giving them
opportunities to serve others, and helping them to connect to core values and
their true self through prayer and meditation helped them to discover ultimate
purpose and meaning as part of their recovery process.
A key finding of their research shows that having an
insecure attachment style appears to be a risk factor for developing depressive
symptoms. Another significant finding shows that the existential-purpose and
meaning-in-life dimension of spirituality seems to be the most important factor
related to depressive symptoms in this sample population.
Horton and Luna note that although their research
results suggest that practitioners could consider focusing on promoting
improved interpersonal relationships for individuals with insecure attachment
styles, they may want to place fostering purpose and meaning in life as a
higher priority for treatment planning.
“Programs such as the 12-step model might want to
take into consideration the relative importance of the two spiritual dimensions
and put into place programmatic support for the development of purpose and
meaning in life rather than only stressing the perceived closeness to God,”
said Malloy.
Addiction is one of the most damaging health
problems in the U.S. today and the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that
by 2020, mental health and substance use disorders will be a major cause of
disability worldwide surpassing physical illness.
In 2009, an estimated 23.5
million Americans ages 12 and older required addiction treatment. The societal
cost of substance abuse problems is approximately $511 billion.
“The cutting-edge research conducted by Drs. Horton
and Luna and Ms. Malloy is extremely important because it sheds light on
different ways to help individuals in treatment addiction,” said John R.
Graham, Ph.D., professor and director of FAU’s School of Social Work.
“This in
turn not only helps the clients receiving treatment, but also improves how
addiction professionals do their work - contributing to the health and
well-being of the broader community.”
-FAU-
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University, with an annual economic impact of $6.3 billion, serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students at sites throughout its six-county service region in southeast Florida. FAU’s world-class teaching and research faculty serves students through 10 colleges: the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Graduate College, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. FAU is ranked as a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University is placing special focus on the rapid development of critical areas that form the basis of its strategic plan: Healthy aging, biotech, coastal and marine issues, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, informatics, lifespan and the environment. These areas provide opportunities for faculty and students to build upon FAU’s existing strengths in research and scholarship. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University, with an annual economic impact of $6.3 billion, serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students at sites throughout its six-county service region in southeast Florida. FAU’s world-class teaching and research faculty serves students through 10 colleges: the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Graduate College, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. FAU is ranked as a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University is placing special focus on the rapid development of critical areas that form the basis of its strategic plan: Healthy aging, biotech, coastal and marine issues, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, informatics, lifespan and the environment. These areas provide opportunities for faculty and students to build upon FAU’s existing strengths in research and scholarship. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.
Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches
Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches (BHOPB) is a leading addiction care organization located in South Florida offering patients comprehensive treatment for chemical dependency and mental illness. Comprised of four specialty facilities (the Recovery Center for Men, the Recovery Center for Women, Seaside Palm Beach, and Mental Health Rehab of the Palm Beaches). BHOPB provides patients with individualized care programs that span the entire treatment process, from intervention services to medically supervised detoxification to customized inpatient rehab to aftercare. Since its inception in 1997, BHOPB has grown to be one of the top addiction care organizations in the country through an ever-expanding spectrum of therapies, world-renowned research department and industry-leading clinical staff. For more information visit
Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches (BHOPB) is a leading addiction care organization located in South Florida offering patients comprehensive treatment for chemical dependency and mental illness. Comprised of four specialty facilities (the Recovery Center for Men, the Recovery Center for Women, Seaside Palm Beach, and Mental Health Rehab of the Palm Beaches). BHOPB provides patients with individualized care programs that span the entire treatment process, from intervention services to medically supervised detoxification to customized inpatient rehab to aftercare. Since its inception in 1997, BHOPB has grown to be one of the top addiction care organizations in the country through an ever-expanding spectrum of therapies, world-renowned research department and industry-leading clinical staff. For more information visit
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