ABSTRACT
Spirituality is an increasingly important topic in healthcare. A growing evidence base suggests that spirituality and religion are protective factors that reduce the risk of a wide range of physical and mental disorders. Both spirituality and religion are important in the healthcare context. It is therefore important to be able to enquire about both in a sensitive fashion. Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. The understanding of the relationship between spirituality and substance use problems has been influenced by various historical factors concerned with the relationship between religion and excessive alcohol consumptionor in the case of Islam, any alcohol consumption. The spirituality enshrined in Alcoholics Anonymous principles draws on the Christian tradition, but is importantly modified through a psychological and medical perspective.
