Conscience in recovery from drug addiction: a theoretical and empirical study of spiritual conscientious transformation for the formulation of conscience therapy

The present research advances the studies of recovery from drug addiction examining the role of conscience and its influences through spiritually transformative experiences. The scholarly research in substance addiction and recovery suffers internal tensions and underdevelopment related to the understanding of addiction, morality, spirituality and conscience. The aims of the study are to contribute to the resolution of these issues through exploration of conscience in drug addiction and recovery in light of its spiritual and/or religious transformative influences and utilisation in establishing the principles and outline for innovative treatment, conscience therapy. Narrative analysis (NA) establishes the methodological framework formulating the means for collection, examination, and formulation of the results derived from the participants’ stories. A combined interview with unstructured and semi-structured parts is used to gather the data from the six participants. The latter are a self-selected diverse demographic group with homogeneous characteristics defined according to their addiction, recovery, spirituality and context. Due to the singularity of the context a seventh participant was interviewed to clarify its characteristics and dimensions. The analysis and discussions resulted in clarifying conscience through its cognitive, emotive, conative and behavioural elements, from being suppressed during addiction but rejuvenated through personal spiritual transformation. The latter is characterised by a personal divine relationship based on love, acceptance and forgiveness. The empowered conscience leads to progressive recovery and personal wellbeing. Finally, the research culminates in utilising the result in an innovative treatment from substance misuse, conscience therapy. The principles and outline of the treatment are summarised in the transformation of conscience through enlightenment, empowerment and edification.