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New Directions in Treatment, Education, and Outreach for Mental Health and Addiction pp 163–173Cite as

Addiction, Spirituality, and Resilience

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Part of the book series: Advances in Mental Health and Addiction ((AMHA))

Abstract

Attachment theory posits that the earliest connection to a primary caregiver sows the seeds for future relational competence. The security of one’s attachment shapes the capacity for emotional regulation and self-control. Disrupted attachment can result in emotional wounds which the individual seeks to heal, often yielding maladaptive behavior. This chapter examines this idea in the context of addictive illness. Since compromised attachment makes one more vulnerable to addictive behavior, could such behavior be a search for healing? Attachment theory will be presented as a context for substance abuse. Spirituality will be explored as a vehicle for the connection and sense of self that is either lost or never established. Resilience is proposed as an outcome of spiritual growth and an important quality for recovery from addictive illness. The transaction of these themes provides a framework for treatment of addictive disorders.

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.

—Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SUNY Empire State College, Community & Human Services, Hartsdale, NY, USA

    Jennifer Spitz

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  1. Jennifer Spitz
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Correspondence to Jennifer Spitz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. SUNY Empire State College, Community and Human Services, New York, New York, USA

    Thalia MacMillan

  2. Department of Social Work, Lehman College, Bronx, New York, USA

    Amanda Sisselman-Borgia

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Spitz, J. (2018). Addiction, Spirituality, and Resilience. In: MacMillan, T., Sisselman-Borgia, A. (eds) New Directions in Treatment, Education, and Outreach for Mental Health and Addiction. Advances in Mental Health and Addiction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72778-3_12

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