Religious Programs and Careers of Chronic Heroin Users

Religion is often overlooked as a factor in recovery from chronic opioid dependence. Research on the effectiveness of religious programs is scanty, but three reports in the literature suggest that programs of the Pentecostal type may be particularly effective among Hispanic drug users. In this paper we review the literature and report our own observations of religious program participation among 248 San Antonio addicts, 87% of whom are Hispanic (Mexican-American). In a 12-year period, 11% of the 248 entered religious programs. Although there were only 33 admissions, the percent followed by a year or more of abstinence (44%) markedly exceeded that following conventional treatment or correctional interventions. We conclude that the ability of religious programs to attract large numbers of clients is limited, but that major changes in attitudes and life-style occur among some participants. Successful participation seems to depend upon a special motivational state at admission. Religious programs may be conceived as sociotherapy, and are similar to traditional therapeutic communities and other self-help programs in many ways. We suggest some psychodynamic and sociocultural mechanisms which may explain how religion promotes recovery from chronic drug dependence among Hispanic heroin users.