David Marcotte1, Arthur Margolin, S Kelly Avants. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Division of Substance Abuse, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA. david.marcotte@yale.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe an application of Spiritual Self-Schema Therapy (3-S) with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive, injection drug-using individual. INTERVENTION: 3-S is a structured and readily administered therapy for integrating a spiritual dimension into addiction treatments for HIV-positive drug users. It posits the existence of many potential "selves," salient among which are the "addict" self and the "spiritual" self. The central strategy of 3-S is to "deactivate" the addict self and "activate" the spiritual self. Techniques to achieve this shift are discussed. RESULTS: Over the course of treatment, this patient was able to use 3-S therapy to shift her dominant sense of self from that of an addict to a spiritual person and reported that this increased feelings of hope and the sense of control. CONCLUSION: A spiritually based therapy appears to help injection drug users with HIV infection and warrants further investigation.
OBJECTIVES: To describe an application of Spiritual Self-Schema Therapy (3-S) with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive, injection drug-using individual. INTERVENTION: 3-S is a structured and readily administered therapy for integrating a spiritual dimension into addiction treatments for HIV-positive drug users. It posits the existence of many potential "selves," salient among which are the "addict" self and the "spiritual" self. The central strategy of 3-S is to "deactivate" the addict self and "activate" the spiritual self. Techniques to achieve this shift are discussed. RESULTS: Over the course of treatment, this patient was able to use 3-S therapy to shift her dominant sense of self from that of an addict to a spiritual person and reported that this increased feelings of hope and the sense of control. CONCLUSION: A spiritually based therapy appears to help injection drug users with HIV infection and warrants further investigation.
Authors: Adrienne J Heinz; Elizabeth R Disney; David H Epstein; Louise A Glezen; Pamela I Clark; Kenzie L Preston Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2010 Impact factor: 2.164