Empirical Research on Spirituality and Alcoholism: A Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT The apparent success of Alcoholics Anonymous and its spiritually based program of recovery in 1935 led early researchers to explore how AA worked and ultimately led to more formalized research on alcoholism and spirituality in the latter part of the 20th century. Using Miller's suggested research framework, a review of empirical research was conducted on four roles of spiritual variables in alcohol abuse and recovery. Tentative conclusions about the relationship between alcoholism and spirituality are provided. Limitations of studies are examined and implications for social work research are discussed.