A Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Meaning Of Spirituality In Long-Term Recovery In Alcoholics Anonymous

Recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is framed within a broad notion of spirituality, in which members are encouraged to nurture personal concepts of spirituality. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), semi-structured interview study was conducted, to explore the role of spirituality for five members of A.A. with long-term recovery (LTR) from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Three higher-order themes, conceptualizing spirituality as a secular and existential phenomenon were identified. The study highlights the role of secular spirituality as a coping mechanism in LTR, demonstrating that A.A. can be an effective treatment for individuals wishing to recover from AUD, regardless of their belief systems.