A Review of... Spirituality 506
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PRAYER AS AN INTERVENTION REVIEW 1
A Review of:
“Using Prayer as an Intervention With Clients Who Are Substance Abusing and
Addicted and Who Self-Identify Personal Faith in God and Prayer as Recovery
Resources”
Alice Churchwell
Liberty University Online
CEFS506
PRAYER AS AN INTERVENTION REVIEW 2
Summary
Introduction
Many persons are plagued with addictions and life-altering habits that they cannot seem to escape independently. Different recovery groups use different methods. However, in this study, prayer and belief in a higher power, God, are incorporated into counseling settings and help establish treatment goals with individual clients. In “Using Prayer as an Intervention with Clients Who Are Substance Abusing and Addicted and Who Self-Identify Personal Faith in God and Prayer as Recovery Resources,” authors Juhnke, Watts, Guerra, & Hsieh (2009) further investigate prayer treatment intervention
. At the time of this article, spirituality was an accepted practice among many, popular and trending. Currently, this still rings true, as “CACREP now requires newly accredited programs to help the student understand “the role of spirituality in the addiction’s recovery process” (CACREP, 2009, p. 18)”, (Juhnke et al., 2009).
Throughout their educational experience and continual training, counselors are urged to combine spirituality with recovery. The ACA Code of Ethics (2014) addresses this approach of counseling within its preamble and its code of ethics, stating that it is important to honor multiculturalism/diversity and develop a counseling plan with each client while respecting their freedom of choice. Counselors and support groups have been open to spirituality, specifically God and prayer, being a central element of recovery groups. Traditional 12-step programs use prayer as a spiritual activity to connect clients to God and require such interaction with “a divine” to request direction, comfort, and support. Such mottos as “I can't, He can, I think I’ll let Him” and the “serenity prayer” are used within these traditional groups to improve clients’ conscious contact with God. The article by Juhnke et al. (2009) also reveals that “clients have reported prayer as beneficial when they experience cravings or stressors outside of treatment sessions.”
PRAYER AS AN INTERVENTION REVIEW 3
Furthermore, counselors should assess individual clients before using prayer as a desirable part of recovery. Using prayer treatment intervention can be assessed through a simple 4 question interview and can be an effective tool for those recovering from addictions. Prayer can be utilized in sessions taking a little amount of time in the opening or closing of the session, and the assessment can easily be rendered as not applicable if the client answers no to any of the following: “Do you believe in God or a higher power? Do you believe God or your higher power
desires you to discontinue ___________(addiction)? Do you pray to God or your higher power? Some of our clients report an interest in using prayer within counseling sessions. Would integrating prayer and counseling be something you might be interested in further discussing,” (Juhnke et al., 2009). The recovering client is never forced to pray but instead is given the opportunity to incorporate if it is deemed clinically appropriate by the counselor and has been established that the client desires such as part of their addictions counseling. These authors have established and disclosed four methods for counselors as a means of implementation. The first method ties into establishing treatment goals for the client. This is when the counselor reflects on what the client has already stated and gives the client the opportunity at the beginning of the session to take a moment with the Lord and ask for guidance regarding treatment goals that would work best in their recovery process. The client may be reserved regarding praying aloud or may immediately go to God in prayer. Based on the preference of the client, the counselor can reassure and assist the client by providing a list of options by reiterating what the client had replied during the assessment and giving scenarios in which other clients had utilized prayer.
The second method also depends on the clients wishes and is used at the beginning of the session with the individual. The counselor can restate what was shared at the last session,
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PRAYER AS AN INTERVENTION REVIEW 4
including God as a means to develop treatment goals and to influence the flow and discussions of
the current session. This method also gives the individual complete control and will help guide the session's course of action. Again, the client can pray, or the counselor can pray for the client, asking the Lord for this guidance. The counselor should also remember that even though a client had previously stated that they would like to utilize prayer as a tool for recovery, the client can and may change their mind and wish to discontinue at any time.
When utilizing method three, the client remains the deciding factor on if/when prayer is incorporated into their recovery process. Within this method, prayer is incorporated at the end of the session. This method is used as a means of recap for the client to affirm what they have learned throughout the session and summarize in prayer as a means to face the upcoming days or
weeks ahead. Either the client or the counselor may pray at the end of the session based on the client's preference
. This prayer is meant to remind the client of the insights gained during the session and encourage them to make choices that will aid in their recovery process. It serves as a gentle reminder to stay focused and trust in oneself while also increasing the expectation that God will guide the client during their recovery journey.
The final method of using prayer as a resource and means to recovery, explored in this article, is a prayer used by the individual client, not in session but when faced with life's hardships and challenges. This is when the counselor encourages the client to apply prayer as a resource outside of the session. The counselor and client can discuss this method, with the counselor explaining that the client can call on God for wisdom with thankfulness for His direction in times of stress and feeling overwhelmed. In conclusion, prayer is a spiritual activity that can be incorporated into the treatment process just as easily as any other strategy within the recovery community. This article outlines
PRAYER AS AN INTERVENTION REVIEW 5
how counselors can help clients incorporate this avenue into their intervention process. If clients experience hallucinations or delusions or do not wish to include spirituality in their recovery, prayer would not be clinically appropriate. However, counselors can now help willing clients trust in God through prayer as an active aid in various avenues of their overall journey.
Interact
My initial response to this article is one of relief and joy. I am relieved as a future counselor that I may be able to incorporate such a deep and meaningful aspect of my faith into future addicts' lives. It makes me joyful to think that the Lord, who has given me so much mercy and grace, can be called upon in times of others' distress if they are willing. The Lord is able to give us peace that goes beyond our understanding, as stated in Philippians 4:7: “
And the
peace of God
, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I am overjoyed that someday I may be able to share my story and, through this given assessment, lead others to call upon Him. Insights gained via the methods of incorporation after the above-mentioned four-question
assessment. I know the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) states that the therapist and the client will develop a plan together with the client’s well-being at the forefront and that counselors are not to
impose their own beliefs onto clients, but this article gives me immense joy after reading because
of the ways to approach the subject of faith in individualized sessions. I was interested in this article because I am pursuing a degree in addiction counseling. I currently work for a company that helps parents and children when they are at risk for out-of-home placement. It helps with behavior modifications, yet I see so many youth affected by parental substance abuse. I, myself, have struggled with addiction, and it is a horrible choice that leads to an all-consuming disease. Addiction affects every area of your life, whether you realize it or not. I struggled with cocaine
PRAYER AS AN INTERVENTION REVIEW 6
addiction approximately 20 years ago and have since rededicated my life, but only by the grace of God. I had tried every way I could think of to release addiction’s grip on my life, but it was finally, through my spiritual journey, that I was able to surrender all to Him. It is my prayer that Christ will use me to help others caught in the grip of life-altering substance abuse. I also pray that I am able to help those affected by the addict's choices. Addiction affects not only the addict but all those who love the addict as well, even though those in active addiction usually are not able to see the pain they are outing their loved ones through at the time. According to Kalin, N. (2020), the stress associated with the recent COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected people's use of alcohol and substance abuse, and “addiction is the key process that underlies substance use disorders.” While the findings of the above-mentioned article by Kalin, N. (2020) do lean toward treatment utilizing our already established healthcare systems, it also points to the
fact that relapse within addiction is highly probable. I, myself, can attest to this. I had three months of abstinence during my first “dry” spell and then went harder and deeper into substance use when I returned to college. I am one of the lucky ones. I was able to seek the counsel of a support group in my town and could walk to my local church that was down the road from the house I grew up in. Not everyone is this fortunate, but I pray that through wisdom gained through experience and quality time with the Lord, I will increase in knowledge through my studies here at Liberty University and be able to effectively counsel those with substance use issues. I want to be of help to those in need. Overdose. This crisis in the United States has finally been brought to the forefront. For too long people have suffered in silence. “
The crisis has highlighted an insulated addiction treatment system that for decades was segregated from the rest of health care because of stigma associated with addiction and, by extension, the medications used to treat it. Stigmatizing
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PRAYER AS AN INTERVENTION REVIEW 7
attitudes have been slow to erode, but the moralizing and punitive viewpoints of the past are gradually giving way to a medical and even a cultural consensus that addiction is a chronic disorder of the brain, one that is strongly influenced by social factors and one that is also treatable,” (
Volkow, 2020).
This article also reveals the “reward” that is felt by substance use that an addict may not be able to obtain from non-drug activities. I hope to continue to study this new research to learn more about one’s weakened ability to resist the urge and relapse. I am hopeful because the stigma around addiction is slowly decreasing. Even though the Bible tells us,
“Judge not, that ye be not judged,” in Matthew 7:1, it seems as though the minute you reveal the word addict, there is an automatic judgment,
unseen but felt.
Apply
I can apply this newfound knowledge to my counseling journey to help those in need. I will need to depend on God as my source of strength and guidance. I will hopefully have that in common with many of my clients. I am not ignorant to think that all those in bondage by substance abuse will turn from using completely or will utilize a spiritual avenue to aid in their recovery process. I also understand that the state of being clean may differ for all those seeking treatment. For some clients, it may be to totally abstain from use, while for others, it may be lessened use or only on special occasions. Everyone will have their own path to follow and then move forward, but I will apply these questions as assessment in individualized sessions. I have saved this article and plan to refer to it when needed. I also pray that I can find even more ways to incorporate the use of spirituality into the client's healing journey, but of course, only at their discretion and not my own. I will respect their wishes and their culture as I am a resource to help,
not push my beliefs upon them as this is not morally or ethically sound practice. I still have many
PRAYER AS AN INTERVENTION REVIEW 8
courses to complete and more knowledge to acquire, yet I will rely on God to direct my path. “
In
all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths,” Proverbs 3:6, KJV. The Lord led me to this field of study after 12 years in the workforce. I taught special education for my local school district previously and have recently changed jobs after following the Lord’s direction. It took a lot to leave after ten years! I have three children and a wonderful new husband. I buried my first husband of 14 years due to COVID-19, and I know full well the stressors the pandemic has brought to the forefront of people’s lives. I relate to those who have personal battles at home and in society and those who have fought silent battles that even those who love them do not know. Daily life is not always easy, but I know Who I can rely on. He is a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1, KJV), and I have continued to heal from multiple traumas throughout my life. I can apply this article to myself as I used a local outreach called “Manna House Ministries” when I was new to recovery, alongside attending church every time the doors were open. I also utilized method four, as mentioned in the article summary, because I was praying more than I ever had before throughout addiction/recovery. Manna House offered a spiritual option as a traditional 12-step program, which I completed many moons ago. I am an advocate for those struggling with addiction, and even though life is not always fair, successful recovery is possible. I am living proof. Therefore, I shall not waste the blessings of the Lord but instead apply concepts learned with intent and purpose. References
PRAYER AS AN INTERVENTION REVIEW 9
American Counseling Association. (2014).
ACA Code of Ethics
.
Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/2014-code-
of ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=2d58522c_4
Juhnke, G. A., Watts, R. E., Guerra, N. S., & Hsieh, P. (2009). Using Prayer as an Intervention With
Clients Who Are Substance Abusing and Addicted and Who Self-Identify Personal Faith in God and Prayer as Recovery Resources.
Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 30
(1), 16-23. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-
journals/using-prayer-as-intervention-with-clients-who-are/docview/194444334/se-2
Kalin, N. H. (2020). Substance use disorders and addiction: Mechanisms, trends, and treatment implications.
American Journal of Psychiatry
, 177(11), 1031 1044.
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20091382
King James Bible. (2008). Oxford University Press. (Original work published 1769)
Volkow, N. D. (2020). Personalizing the treatment of substance use disorders.
The American Journal
of Psychiatry
, 177(2), 113–
116.
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19121284
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