Investigating Religion's Impact on Adolescent Drug Use & Recovery

This research report investigates the intricate relationship between religion and drug use, specifically focusing on adolescent perspectives. The study aims to evaluate the role of religion in alcohol and drug consumption among adolescents, its impact on the recovery of mental and physical health related to addiction, and the correlation between religious factors that may reduce substance use. Through a literature review, the report highlights the protective attributes of religion against drug abuse, emphasizing the importance of religious involvement and spiritual practices. The research employs an explanatory, quantitative approach, utilizing structured questionnaires distributed to adolescent students, and analyzes the data using SPSS to identify significant trends and relationships. The findings aim to contribute to a better understanding of how religion can be a vital factor in preventing and addressing drug use among young people.

Running Head: DRUG AND RELIGION
Drug and Religion
Students Name
University Affiliation
Date

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Drug and Religion
Drug abuse
Introduction
Religion is gradually becoming a vital area and field of research for mental health
professionals and medical doctors alike as revealed by the increment of research over the years
concerning psychosocial features and how they impact a person’s physical and mental health.
For instance, in the year 2001, there were about 250 articles on health and religion on PsycInfo
(CDC Report on Alcohol Consumption Social Costs, 2011). Currently, there are approximately
2500 articles in related to health and religion. Investigation in this area has recognized a positive
relationship between self-reported satisfaction of life and religion with positive mental health
behaviors like exercise and negative health behaviors like consumption of alcohol as well as drug
use. Therefore, because of the vital relationships, it is important for researchers and counsellors
to better comprehend how religion relates to drug use.
Numerous religions like the Islam sternly prohibit the use of drugs and alcohol while
other religious groups strictly advise against the use of alcohol and other drugs. It should be
noted that religion has also shaped and affected our views on the issues and challenges linked
with alcohol and drug abuse (Marsiglia, Kulis, Njeri and Parsai, 2011).
Even though Judaism and Christian culture allow or approve moderate use of alcohol, it
is interesting to note that there is consistence and clear biblical disapproval of drunkenness, or
the consumption of alcohol that can cause harm or impairment to an individual. This is the
consumption of alcohol that is normally disapproved and condemned by most of the religious
teachings. Consumption of drugs that cause harm, inflict pain or cause mental problems to the

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users is usually put in this category. These longstanding relationships between drug and religion
and the vital roles of spiritual and religious perspective in informing and shaping people’s moral
understanding of addiction; have made researchers to be fascinated with the relationship between
drug use and religion in the society (Palamar, Kiang & Halkitis, 2014; Yaden, et al 2017).
Aim and purpose of the study
The aim of this research study is to evaluate the relationship between religion and drug
use.
Specific objective of the study
1. To investigate the role of religion in the use of alcohol and drug consumption among the
adolescent.
2. To investigate the role of religion in the recovery of mental and physical health related to
alcohol and drug use and addiction among the adolescent.
3. To investigate the correlation between the religious factors that reduce the consumption
of alcohol among the adolescent.
Research questions
1. Are there any roles of religion in the use of alcohol and drug among the adolescent?
2. Are there any roles of religion in the recovery of mental and physical health related to
alcohol and drug use and addiction among the adolescent?
3. Is there any correlation between religious factors that reduce the consumption of alcohol
and drug among the adolescent?

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Significance
The significance of the research is that a proper relationship will be established between
relgion and drug and alcohol use.

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Literature Review
In spite of variety of definitions and meanings, one of the best published research
findings concerning religion entails its positive predictive association with health (Acheampong,
Lasopa, Striley & Cottler, 2016). Numerous researchers have assessed the association between
both health attitudes as well as health behaviors and religion. The research studies used different
measures like the spirituality scale and the reviewing of the existing literature in order to assess
religion. Since the early 1980s, bodies of research have come up emphasizing and focusing on
the association between drug use and religion. Drug use history is entangled with societal values
and religion on the negative behaviors associated with drug use and which are often have their
bases in religious or spiritual perspective. In Christian and Jewish scriptures, for instance, the
drinking of wine is presumed to be part of the religious ordinary life and the virtues are normally
adorned (Leslie, 2008). The chief sacramental observance in Christianity and Judaism entail the
application of wine. On the other hand, other religions have assigned consecrated uses to other
drugs involving hallucinogens and tobacco like peyote.
Various research studies have demonstrated a vital relationship between religion and
health relating to drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. People with greater levels of religious
involvement normally have lower rates of addiction and abuse and are likely to get longstanding
success if they struggled with the challenges of alcohol and drug use (Sanchez, Opaleye, Chaves,
Noto & Nappo, 2011). For instance, according to a research conducted by the national
longitudinal survey of youth, 37% of the youths who went to religious service on a weekly basis
have attempted to smoke in comparison to the youths who attended between twice or thrice a
month having 45%. The same research revealed that the youths who attended church service less
a month were 53% while those who did not attend the church at all stood at 55%.

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Retrieved from http://www.marripedia.org/effects_of_religious_practice_on_substance_abuse
The same report indicated that 16% of the adolescent who regularly worship especially
on a weekly basis have never smoked, consumed alcohol or used marijuana while those who
attend worship twice or once in a month stood at 24%, the youths who rarely attend worship or
attend the worship less in a month stood at 27% while those who do not attend the worship at all
stood at 30%.

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Retrieved from http://www.marripedia.org/effects_of_religious_practice_on_substance_abuse
Several past research studies have indicated that a greater level of religious involvement
is related with a reduction in the likelihood of drug use abuse or alcohol use. The association
between religion and moderate or avoidance of the use of alcohol and other drugs is well
published and documented. Psychiatric patients, recovering drug addicts and adolescents all
display lower drug and alcohol abuse rates, the more they take part in the religious activities. For
youths, greater level of spiritual activities by their parents are usually related to vitally lower
rates of drug abuse.

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Retrieved from http://www.marripedia.org/effects_of_religious_practice_on_substance_abuse
Religion as a protective attribute for drug abuse
The stated protective role of religion is a well-documented feature which has been linked
to the drug misuse and abuse. The concept seems to be associated with the acceptance of religion
connections and the report of spiritual practices. Drug use and alcohol related challenges are
linked with a present lack of religious involvement and affiliations. For instance, a study
conducted in the United States of America indicated that people who deem and consider religion
as important are less likely to abuse drugs or misuse it while those who do not care about religion
are more likely to abuse drugs. On the same note, a decrease in religious practices usually

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contributes to negative health behaviors like caffeine consumption and alcohol abuse. moreover,
religion has been viewed to play a vital role in the recovery of not only adolescent health
recovery but also to the entire population (Keenan, 2013). People who are more religious and
recovery from illness such as mental or physical deal with their resultant pain better, have a
better positive perception and opinion of their condition are likely to avoid further illness by
getting vaccines (Kelly, Pagano, Stout & Johnson, 2012). Available research is however, unclear,
to explain the reason as to why increased religious practice is linked to increased health, yet most
researcher assume that mental and physical illness and addiction normally test an individual’s
belief and that religion can offer support, provide a way to cope and offer answers.
In the process of recovery, religion has been deemed to play a vital role in the mental and
physical health recovery especially due to alcohol and drug abuse (Kelly, Dow, Yeterian &
Kahler, 2010; Kelly, Dow, Yeterian & Myers, 2011). Tt should be noted that Christianity is the
dominant religion in the world. Empirical evidence that states that religion can directly determine
and influence drug use by acting as a moral yardstick, originates from studies which have looked
at the reasons why individuals choose not consume alcohol (Jang & Johnson, 2011). Research
studies have been conducted to relate and correlate drug use attitude with various measures of
spiritual and religiousness entailing church attendance, satisfaction degree, affiliation which are
derived from activities of the church. For instance, the association between alcohol and drug use
and religion by the youth has been topic of discussion and scientific investigation by numerous
researchers. Qualitative and empirical research studies relate religiosity with the reduction in the
consumption of drugs as well as improved indicators for the recovery of individuals who are
getting medical treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Religion serves and acts to protect

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people from drug consumption especially people who attend places of worship regularly and
who abide by the teachings of their respective religion (Koenig, 2012).
Theoretical framework
In order to support the research hypothesis of this study, a holistic view of the alcohol
and drug use and religion will be presented with empirical and qualitative arguments. Drug
addiction has always been conceptualized as a health disorder which entails components of both
compulsivity and impulsivity. Religion and spirituality as well as atheism will be discussed in
relation to the alcohol and drug abuse and addiction.

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Methodology
Research Design
This research will use both explanatory, quantitative research design. The sample
population of the study will be the adolescent youths who are mostly students. The researcher
will use structured questionnaire which will be both open and close ended questionnaire. The
questionnaire will be sent to the students through electronic email. Research analysis will be
done through SPSS and results presented in the form of graphs, pie charts and tables.
Limitations and delimitations
The study has the limitation that it will take place during a limited time, thus, only a
representation of the population will be used. Participation of the sample population will be
voluntary and, thus, not all the perspectives will be represented.
Ethical consideration
The study will strive to create and uphold confidentiality and privacy of the participants
as required in the ethical requirements of the research.

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References
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Association Between Religion/Spirituality and Simultaneous Polysubstance Use
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CDC Report on Alcohol Consumption Social Costs. (2011, October 17). Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 14, 2013, from
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Jang, S. J., & Johnson, B. R. (2011). The Effects of Childhood Exposure to Drug Users and
Religion on Drug Use in Adolescence and Young Adulthood. Youth & Society, 43(4),
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Keenan. N. (2013). Spirituality and alcohol consumption in a general population. Retrieved
from https://rdw.rowan.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
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