Contacts: Alyssa Forcehimes, (505) 925.2399
Steve Carr, (505) 277.1821
April 19, 2004 UNM PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE STUDENT LOOKS FOR CONNECTION
BETWEEN SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION, ALCOHOLISM RECOVERY
Spiritual transformations have been described as events that lead one to an awakening of the mind, body and spirit, that more often than not, produce a marked change in an individual – usually for the better. In Alcoholics Anonymous, spiritual transformations are a catalyst and starting point for alcoholics to begin the recovery process and start life anew without alcohol.
Alyssa Forcehimes, a graduate student at the University of New Mexico, is studying that connection and recently had an article published in The Journal of Clinical Psychology titled, “De Profundis: Spiritual Transformations in Alcoholics Anonymous,” that delves into spiritual transformations and alcoholism recovery.
The roots of Alcoholics Anonymous and spiritual transformation are in the Oxford Group, a nondenominational program begun in answer to antireligious response following World War I. Their evangelical nature and view of God as the true authority resulted in a reliance on God control through men and women who had surrendered fully to God’s will.
“Transformational experiences are often part of the recovery process,” Forcehimes said. “According to Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, ‘if people don’t have spiritual awakenings, they can’t get better.’
“Many alcoholics feel like they can’t recover alone; they need the help of a higher power. There’s a general feeling of surrender, which is one of the first things that happens in the transformation process. They feel like they are at a point where paths diverge: continued drinking to ultimate death or to surrender and allow something sudden and dramatic to happen.
“An example of a spiritual transformation is likened to the feeling of putting on a warm blanket. It gives one a feeling of peace. There’s often a shift in personality and the way you view the world. Others report replacing a feeling of hate toward humanity with a feeling of oneness with others. There’s an increase in meaning and purpose of life,” Forcehimes adds.
There are two general assumptions in AA: the assumption of confession as a prerequisite to change and the expectation that those who have changed are instructed to help others.
Forcehimes says after completing the first steps, individuals admit to being powerless and turn their will and their lives over to God. Members then spiritually cleanse their past through confession of wrongdoings. Finally, as members become spiritually prepared, they await the cleansing of a spiritual awakening, followed by a desire to assist others toward sobriety. Forcehimes hypothesizes that spiritual awakenings are the true mechanism of change in AA.
Forcehimes says the time of change in individuals varies. In some there is an immediate change and in others it may take up to a year or longer. Forcehimes recently began a study to better understand the development of the process and the transformational experience.
Forcehimes is currently working on her master’s thesis and is further exploring the connection between spiritual transformations and alcoholism recovery.
“This project is attempting to better understand transformational experiences in AA by examining the period around them as well as describe how individual’s experiences were similar and different,” Forcehimes said.
“It’s fascinating to hear these stories that inspire such hope. It is wonderful to hear how people have had an experience that offered them a way out of the despair of alcohol dependence.”
She’s interviewing individuals for her study who have experienced a spiritual transformation. To qualify for the study, individuals need to meet three criteria including: experiencing a deep shift in core values, feelings, attitudes or actions; a member of Alcoholics Anonymous; and abstinence from alcohol for at least six months.
For more information or to find out about qualifying for the study call Alyssa Forcehimes at (505) 925-2399.
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