Both paths may be important. Limited evidence for a predictive relationship of spirituality to recovery. 12 Step fellowships provide a place in which to study spirituality in the recovery process. AA attendance is often found to be modestly predictive of better treatment outcomes. One study, suggested that drinking outcomes were unrelated to the attendance at AA after treatment but related to the extent of involvement.
Involvement includes working program steps and AA-recommended activities.
Yalom group therapy principles including instillation of hope, group cohesiveness, altruism, universality, catharsis, and existential factors. Continued research is necessary to help further understand the benefits of spirituality and religion as well as to guide the application of these mechanisms to treatment. The data presented have demonstrated that spirituality and religion play an important role in the lives and health of patients. Also, the lecture has highlighted potential bias that clinicians may have regarding spiritual issues. Finally, an overview of research in spirituality and AA has been provided with suggestions for future research.