Twelve-Step Programs and Spiritual Support at the End of Life

The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care
Hunter Groninger, Michael Knapik

Abstract

Experts estimate that over 25 million Americans are in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Many will be confronted with a serious progressive illness necessitating palliative care or hospice services. In current literature, substance use disorder has mostly been examined in relation to appropriate symptom assessment and management, opioid risk screening, and controlled substance prescribing practices. However, as hospice and palliative care (HPC) clinicians strive to provide whole person care for the seriously ill, awareness and facilitation of healthy psychosocial-spiritual coping strategies for recovering addicts should enhance such care. One of the more common support mechanisms to support recovery is the 12-step program, based on Alcoholics Anonymous. Twelve-step programs have been shown to provide effective coping strategies, not only to help facilitate ongoing abstinence but also to support other psychosocial-spiritual crises. The HPC providers may help to serve those living with addiction disorders better by assessing not only patient histories of substance use/abuse and other addictive behaviors but by facilitating their ongoing support recovery efforts. Here, we use 2 HPC cases to illustrate the value o...Continue Reading

References

Apr 13, 2000·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·S D Passik, D E Theobald
Sep 16, 2008·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Henrique A ParsonsEduardo Bruera
Jun 5, 2013·Social Work in Public Health·Dennis M DonovanDennis C Daley
Feb 25, 2014·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Joshua S BarclayLeslie J Blackhall
May 21, 2014·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Christina M PuchalskiNancy Reller
Jul 1, 2014·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Sebastiano MercadanteUNKNOWN Home Care-Italy Group (HOCAI)
Jul 9, 2014·Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care·Sherri Rauenzahn, Egidio Del Fabbro
Feb 24, 2015·Journal of Religion and Health·Helen Dermatis, Marc Galanter
Aug 25, 2015·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Paul D TanLeslie J Blackhall

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
pharmacotherapies

Software Mentioned

Narcotics

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Addiction

This feed focuses mechanisms underlying addiction and addictive behaviour including heroin and opium dependence, alcohol intoxication, gambling, and tobacco addiction.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder involves a pattern of alcohol consumption that includes compulsive use and a loss of control over intake of alcohol. The impact on physical health, socioeconomic factors, and psychiatric health is profound. Find the latest research on alcohol use disorder here.