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Journal Article Review
This journal article review is about using prayer as an intervention for people who are
struggling with substance abuse usage. They have self-identified their faith in God and the usage
of prayer as a resource for recovery. This journal article review explains the importance of
counselors not discriminating against their client's spiritual beliefs. Counselors should take into
consideration their client's spiritual beliefs when assessing them. This article also provides
various methods and interventions that can be used when assisting clients and incorporating
prayer into the session.
Summary
The concept of this journal article review 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 can be a useful tool for many clients. This article shows how
spiritual practice can assist clients in overcoming their battle with addiction. The counselor
should seek to get a better understanding of their client's spiritual beliefs and what it means to the
client. The counselor is to allow the client to lead in their spiritual and religious faith (Juhnke et
al., 2009). It explains the importance of the integration of spirituality and how it can be
incorporated. Alcoholics Anonymous is known for utilizing this method of assisting clients.
Clients have reported the helpfulness of the slogans stated within their circle. The 12-step
program addresses the person's connection with God. Prayer is used within their circle, and
prayer is a spiritual action (Beach et al., 2008).
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This article also uses various questions to assess their clients’ beliefs. This is a helpful
tool for counselors to learn how their spiritual beliefs can aid their recovery treatment. Research
has shown that cognitive therapy has been transformed by religion and that it has been more
effective than traditional cognitive therapy (Juhnke et al., 2009). According to Juhnke et al.
(2009), religious beliefs should be identified before praying. Prayer has been utilized as a
therapeutic tool in speeding up the client’s healing. Counselors conducting spiritual counseling
should be able to combine religious values and counseling together (Juhnke et al., 2009).
Prayer can be utilized in a way that initiates the client’s connection between their God
and the behavioral system. This can increase their sense of hope, making them feel secure with
their God (Jankowski & Sandage, 2012). There were two methods used consisting of four
questions to see if prayer would be effective. These methods assisted the counselor in
establishing treatment goals for the client (Juhnke et al. 2009). Results have shown that prayer
has been utilized as a spiritual activity and intervention in recovery and addiction treatment for
many years (Juhnke et al. 2009).
This article has shown how prayer has been utilized to assist clients in identifying
treatment goals. Counselors have used prayer to start and end counseling sessions. Prayer has
also assisted clients with cravings and various stressors (Juhnke et al. 2009). According to
Juhnke et al. (2009), various clients have reported that prayer was a helpful intervention for
them. Alcoholics Anonymous World Service has used prayer and various slogans during their
meetings. Such slogans would include “Let go and let God” and “I can’t, He can, I think I’ll let
Him". The Serenity Prayer has also been utilized in the 12-step program. There has been an
argument about prayer not being effective for clients who suffer from delusions, hallucinations,
personality disorders, and those who don’t believe in God (Juhnke et al., 2009).
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Interaction
The initial response I had to this article was nothing out of the ordinary. I have a family
line for alcoholics and addicts. Both of my parents are still active users. I have however seen
some family members after being incarcerated turn their lives over to God and transform their
lives. I believe that my parents are still active users because they refuse to surrender their lives
and their addition to God. I believe the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous provides a
spiritual path for them. The 12-step program was established in the mid-1930s and still has the
same structure and spiritual pathway used to produce religions worldwide (Mohamad et al.,
2019). It has been noted that recovery is a daily walk, and the 12-step program offers a
disciplined spiritual path. The 12-step program provides tools that individuals use as spiritual
principles. It advocates an individual's ego reduction and self-centeredness. The individual is
intentionally seeking God, which can assist the individual with overcoming temptation
(Mohamad et al., 2019).
Juhnke et al. (2009) stated that prayer is a personal resource that helps the addict with
recovery. It has also been said that prayer was made simple for the individuals. It broke down to
about 3 minutes at the beginning and end of the meeting. Individuals have reported that prayer
has been beneficial when cravings and stressors come outside of their meetings. Assessments
have been created by inserting prayer and implemented in interventions (Juhnke et al. 2009).
During these interventions, no individuals are forced to pray. Counselors stated that
prayer was a resource that could be used in their recovery. The assessment assisted others
struggling with addiction understanding how prayer was used and its benefits. In addition, it
addresses questions individuals may have while identifying changes the individual can make.
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After the assessment, the individual and counselor can determine if prayer is an option for them
(Juhnke et al., 2009).
According to Lambert et al. (2010), spirituality and religion are associated with the
reduction of alcohol consumption and other issues related to alcohol. Prayer has been a coping
method for individuals. It has been noted that prayer and spirituality have motivated the
individual to reduce their drinking. Prayer and spirituality have been used as an alternative to
individuals with addiction and assist them with coping with any challenges (Lambert et al.,
2010). Research has shown that drinking is a common habit that people use to cope with life
challenges. Individuals dealing with stressors and feeling hopeless with no link to God be may a
reason one would use substances. Spirituality and prayer can assist the individual with filling a
void they may have while helping them cope during tough times (Lambert et al., 2010).
According to Pargament (1997), prayer and spirituality can be influential in repairing and
rebuilding the individual's values during tough times. This reminds the individual that even in
tough times God is in charge. God is generous and will be available in their time of need
(Pargament, 1997). The scripture that sticks out to me is 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation
has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you
be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out
so that you can endure it” (New International Version, 1 Corinthians 10:13).
This is the reason for prayer, there is nothing that one person has been through that
someone else hasn’t had to endure. We use these as our testimonies when we have overcome
them. We are all living testimonies and can be a blessing and inspiration to someone else in
need. There is nothing too big or difficult for God, and this is the reason we pray and go to him
when we are in need.
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Application
When I become a clinician and I have a client struggling with alcohol or substance abuse
problems, I would recommend various methods from this article. If I was explaining this as a
scenario it would go as follows; The client would be asked if they believe in a higher power. For
this example, the client would state yes, they believe in God. I would then ask if they would like
to pray at the start of their session. I would pray for wisdom that God would not just help the
client but me as well with discernment and clarity. I would also pray that God would provide the
client with the tools they need to overcome addiction and the abstinence of alcohol. I would pray
to keep both of us focused on him and the needs of the client. I would pray for successful
treatment goals and to help us obtain all the help comfortable environment.
Prayer will be utilized at the end of the session as well. During this time control will be
offered to the client in reference to prayer. This would assist the client in combining the skills
learned during the session. The client would be asked to anchor what they have been taught so
they have something to use outside of their sessions. The client will be praised for their
accomplishments and asked to summarize learned skills. They will be also asked to pray and ask
God how to utilize these learned skills effectively. The Serenity Prayer would be a tool that is
recommended to the client. Clients who struggle with prayer will be asked if they think God can
help with their cravings and give them wisdom. Depending on their answer I would ask if they
would like me to pray for them or if they would like me to pray with them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, prayer is a spiritual activity. This spiritual activity has been utilized for
various years in assisting clients who struggle with addiction and substance abuse. The 12-step
program has assisted clients in overcoming alcohol and substance abuse. This article has
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References
Holy Bible: NIV: New International Version. (1973). Christian Media Bibles.
Jankowski, P. J., & Sandage, S. J. (2012). Spiritual dwelling and well-being: the mediating role
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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.IJournal of Addictions & Offender
Counseling,I30(1), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1874.2009.tb00053.x
Lambert, N. M., Fincham, F. D., Marks, L. D., & Stillman, T. F. (2010). Invocations and
intoxication: Does prayer decrease alcohol consumption?IPsychology of Addictive
Behaviors,I24(2), 209–219. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018746
Mohamad, I. A., Ku Suhaila, K. J., Nurfarhah, M. N., Haslinda, M. J., Pamidi, S., & Muhammad,
K. M. (2019). Experience of recovering addicts undergoing the seven steps recovery in
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Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory,
