Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ebb and Flow in the Sense of Meaningful Purpose: A Lifespan Perspective on Alcohol and Other Drug Involvement

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology

Abstract

We conducted a comprehensive literature search to investigate the following five questions related to alcohol and other drug (AOD) involvement across the lifespan: Q1: Is the construct known as Meaning in Life–Purpose in Life (MIL–PIL) relevant to understanding the initiation, frequency, and intensity of AOD involvement during adolescence and young adulthood?; Q2: Is MIL–PIL relevant to understanding the progression of AOD involvement up to, but not including the decision to quit or cut back?; Q3: Is MIL–PIL relevant to understanding an adult’s decision to seek professional or informal help for an AOD problem?; Q4: After an AOD abuser has resolved to change and is seeking treatment, does this treatment affect MIL–PIL scores?; Q5: After an AOD abuser has resolved to change and is seeking treatment, is MIL–PIL relevant to understanding variability in resolution outcome? A total of 76 empirical studies with 35,686 cases were extracted from the extant literature base. Quantitative findings from each of these studies are collated and discussed in the context of each question identified within our life course framework. Overall, we conclude that the state of the science in this fledgling area of scholarship is not sufficiently developed as to empirically justify secondary or tertiary prevention initiatives that seek to impact AOD outcomes by modifying MIL–PIL. We recommend future scholarship adopt a life course perspective with the potential to expand the continuum of care by improving our understanding of the less intensive needs of the untreated majority of people who are troubled by an AOD problem.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    This calculation involved using mid-points for studies reporting variability in the duration of treatment attendance (e.g., 9-12 months = 273-365 days; midpoint = 319 days).

  2. 2.

    We omitted the study by Stewart et al. (2006) since it did not report T1 and T2 mean scores. Instead, Time in Treatment was represented as its own variable within a regression model. Group 4 participants from Waisberg (1990) were also excluded since they were waitlisted and not actively in treatment.

  3. 3.

    Although Krentzman (2008) used the PILT, her final operationalization of MIL–PIL was a difference score between “Found Meaning” (PILT) and “Meaning Seeking”.

References

  • Antonovsky, A. (1993). The structure and properties of the sense of coherence scale. Social Science and Medicine, 36, 725–733.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arevalo, S., Prado, G., & Amaro, H. (2008). Spirituality, sense of coherence, and coping responses in women receiving treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. Evaluation and Program Planning, 31, 113–123.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 4, 561–571.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Weissman, A., Lester, D., & Trexler, L. (1974). The measurement of pessimism: The hopelessness scale. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42, 861–865.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beckwith, H. D. (2006). Risky behavior in college students: The influence of religiosity and spirituality. Dissertation Abstracts International (Doctoral dissertation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Benson, P. L., Scales, P. C., Hamilton, S. F., & Sesma, A., Jr. (2006). Positive youth development: Theory, research, and applications. In W. Damon & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 1. Theoretical models of human development (6th ed., pp. 894–941). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg, J. E., Andersen, S., Brevik, J. L., & Alveberg, P. (1996). Drug addiction as a lifestyle. Scandinavian Journal of Social Welfare, 5, 30–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, S. F., Budman, S. H., McGee, M. D., Davis, M. S., Cornelli, R., & Morey, L. C. (2006). Addiction severity assessment tool: Development of a self-report measure for clients in substance abuse treatment. Alcohol and Drug Dependence, 80, 349–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, S. (1993). Spirituality and purpose in life in alcoholism recovery. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 54, 297–301.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, G. (2006). Social support, spiritual program, and addiction recovery. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 50, 306–323.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S. R., Hassan, S. A., Lapointe, B. J., & Mount, B. M. (1996). Quality of life in HIV disease as measured by the McGill quality of life questionnaire. AIDS, 10, 1421–1427.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crumbaugh, J. C. (1968). Cross-validation of purpose-in-life test based on Frankl’s concepts. Journal of Individual Psychology, 24, 74–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, R. A. (1997). Self-rated quality of life scales for people with an intellectual disability: A review. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 10, 199–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, D., Mattson, M. E., Cisler, R. A., Longabaugh, R., & Zweben, A. (2005). Quality of life as an outcome measure in alcoholism treatment research. Journal of Studies on Alcohol Supplement, 15, 119–139.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dull, T. R. (1983). An empirical examination of the anomie theory of drug use. Journal of Drug Education, 13, 49–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, C. (1983). Spiritual well-being: Conceptualization and measurement. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 11, 330–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fassino, S., Daga, G. A., Delsedime, N., Rogna, L., & Boggio, S. (2004). Quality of life and personality disorders in heroin abusers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 76, 73–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frankl, V. E. (1963). Man’s search for meaning. New York: Washington Square Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankl, V. E. (1984). Man’s search for meaning: Revised and updated. New York: Washington Square Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankl, V. E. (2004). On the theory and therapy of mental disorders: Introduction to logotherapy and existential analysis. London, UK: Brunner-Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, J. H., Powell, J. E., Marshall, E. J., & Peters, T. J. (1999). Quality of life in alcohol dependent subjects—A review. Quality of Life Research, 8, 25–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giannetti, V. J. (1981). Alcoholics Anonymous and the recovering alcoholic: An exploratory study. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 8, 363–370.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes, K., & Hart, K. E. (2009). Adherence to recovery practices prescribed by Alcoholics Anonymous: Benefits to sustained abstinence and subjective quality of life. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 27, 223–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Good, L. R., & Good, K. C. (1974). A preliminary measure of existential anxiety. Psychology Reports, 34, 72–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gruner, L. (1984). Herion, hashish, and hallelujah: The search for meaning. Review of Religious Research, 26, 176–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harlow, L. L., Mitchell, K. J., Fitts, S. N., & Saxon, S. E. (1999). Psycho-Existential distress and problem behaviours: Gender, subsample, and longitudinal tests. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 4, 111–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart, K. E., & Sasso, T. (2011). Mapping the contours of contemporary positive psychology. Canadian Psychology, 52(2), 82–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart, K. E., & Singh, T. (2009). An existential model of flourishing subsequent to treatment for addiction: The importance of living a meaningful and spiritual life. Illness, Crisis, & Loss, 17, 125–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horn, J. L., Wanberg, K. W., & Foster, F. M. (1977). The alcohol use inventory—AUI. Denver: Center for alcohol abuse research and evaluation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hser, Y. I., Longshore, D., & Anglin, M. D. (2007). The life course perspective on drug use: A conceptual framework for understanding drug use trajectories. Evaluation Review, 31, 515–547.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutzell, R. R. (1989). Life purpose questionnaire overview sheet. Berkeley: Logotherapy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutzell, R. R., & Finck, W. C. (1994). Adapting the life purpose questionnaire for use with adolescent populations. The International Forum for Logotherapy, 17, 42–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ianni, P. A., Hart, K. A., Hibbard, S., Carroll, M., Milosevic, A., & Wilson, T. (2010, January). Lack of perceived meaning in life as an existential-spiritual risk factor for alcohol abuse: Moderating effects of gender. In Poster Presented at Convention for the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Las Vegas, NV.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ianni, P. A., Hart, K. E., Carey, T. M., & Robinson, A. (2012, July). Secular verses spiritual meaning: Which one offers better protection against alcohol misuse? In Poster Presented at Convention of the International Network on Personal Meaning, Toronto, ON.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, T. J., Sheets, V. L., & Kristeller, J. L. (2008). Empirical identification of dimensions of religiousness and spirituality. Mental Health, Religion, & Culture, 11, 745–767.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Junior, V. Y. (1999). Self-esteem, self-efficacy, and purpose and meaning in life among recovering alcoholics in Alcoholics Anonymous. Dissertation Abstracts International (Doctoral dissertation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kairouz, S., & Dube, L. (2000). Abstinence and well-being among members of Alcoholics Anonymous: Personal experience and social perceptions. The Journal of Social Psychology, 140, 565–579.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinnier, R. T., Metha, A. T., Keim, J. S., Okey, J. L., Adler-Tabia, R. L., Berry, M. A., et al. (1994). Depression, meaninglessness, and substance abuse in “normal” and hospitalized adolescents. Journal of Alcohol & Drug Education, 39, 101–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleftaras, G., & Katsogianni, I. (2012). Spirituality, meaning in life, and depressive symptomatology in individuals with alcohol dependence. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 14, 268–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, N. (2003). Race, religion, and abstinence from alcohol in late life. Journal of Aging and Health, 15, 508–533.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krentzman, A. R. (2008). Spirituality, religiosity, and alcoholism treatment outcomes: A comparison between black and white participants. Dissertation Abstracts International (Doctoral dissertation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Krentman, A. R., Farkas, K. J., & Townsend, A. L. (2010). Spirituality, religiousness, and alcoholism treatment outcomes: A comparison between black and white participants. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 28, 128–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krupitsky, E., & Burakov, A. M. (1996). Continued studies into underlying psychological mechanisms of Ketamine Psychedelic Therapy (KPT). Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, 6, 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam, C. W., Ng, H. Y., & Boey, K. W. (2002). Measuring drug abuse: The development of the Chinese Drug Involvement Scale (CDIS) in Hong Kong. Research on Social Work Practice, 12, 525–533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laudet, A. B., Morgen, K., & White, W. L. (2006). The role of social supports, spirituality, religiousness, life meaning, and affiliation with 12-step satisfaction among individuals in recovery from alcohol and drug problems. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 24, 33–73.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, R. W. (2000). Toward a psychology of positive youth development. American Psychologist, 55, 170–183.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laudet, A. B., & White, W. L. (2008). Recovery capital as prospective predictor of sustained recovery, life satisfaction, and stress among former poly-substance users. Substance Use & Missuse, 43, 27–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Little, G. L., & Robinson, K. D. (1989). Effects of moral reconation therapy upon moral reasoning, life purpose, and recidivism among drug and alcohol offenders. Psychological Reports, 64, 83–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Majer, J. M. (1992). Assessing the logotherapeutic value of 12-step therapy. The International Forum for Logotherapy, 15, 86–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, A., Smith, L., Piek, J., & Saunders, B. (2003). The purpose in life scale: Psychometric properties for social drinkers and drinkers in alcohol treatment. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 63, 859–871.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McBroom, J. (1994). Correlates of alcohol and marijuana use among junior high school students: Family, peers, school problems and psychosocial concerns. Youth Society, 26, 54–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKnight, P. E., & Kashdan, T. B. (2009). Purpose in life as a system that creates and sustains health and well-being: An integrative, testable theory. Review of General Psychology, 13, 242–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLellan, A. T., Luborsky, L., Woody, G. E., & O’Brien, C. P. (1980). An improved diagnostic instrument for substance abuse patients: The Addiction Severity Index. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 168, 26–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Midanik, L. T., Soghikian, K., Ransom, L. J., & Polen, M. R. (1992). Alcohol problems and sense of coherence among older adults. Social Science Medicine, 34, 43–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Midanik, L. T., & Zabkiewicz, D. (2009). Indicators of sense of coherence and alcohol consumption-related problems: The 2000 U.S. national alcohol study. Substance Use and Misuse, 44, 357–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, G. A., & Russo, T. J. (1995). Alcoholism, spiritual well-being and the need for transcendence. NC: Appalachian State University (Unpublished manuscript)

    Google Scholar 

  • Minehan, J. A., Newcomb, M. D., & Galaif, E. R. (2000). Predictors of adolescent drug use: Cognitive abilities, coping strategies, and purpose in life. Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 10, 33–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moller-Leimkuhler, A. M., Cuperman, A., & Koller, G. (2006). Gender-role orientation and personal resources of male and female alcohol dependents after inpatient detoxification and at 6-month follow up. Suchtmedizin in Forschung und Praxis, 8, 35–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, H. A., Miller, W. R., & Tonigan, J. S. (1995). Does Alcoholic Anonymous involvement predict treatment outcome? Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 12, 141–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H. (2007). Theory-based processes that promote the remission of substance use disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 27, 537–551.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myrin, B., & Lagerstrom, M. (2006). Health behaviour and sense of coherence among pupils aged 14–15. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Science, 20, 339–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nam, J. S., Heritage, J. G., & Kim, J. K. (1994, November). Predictors of drug/alcohol abuse and sexual promiscuity of college students. In Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Counseling Association, Chattanooga, TN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neal, A. G., & Seeman, M. (1964). Organizations and powerlessness: A test of the mediation hypothesis. American Sociological Review, 29, 216–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neuner, B., Miller, P., Maulhardt, A., Weiss-Gerlach, E., Neumann, T., Lau, A., et al. (2006). Hazardous alcohol consumption and sense of coherence in emergency department patients with minor trauma. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 82, 143–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Newcomb, M. D., & Harlow, L. L. (1986). Life events and substance use among adolescents: Mediating effects of perceived loss of control and meaningless in life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 564–576.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, T., Higgins, W., Turner, P., James, S., Stickle, F., & Pruitt, T. (1994). The relation between meaning in life and the occurrence of drug abuse: A retrospective study. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 8, 24–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oakes, E. K., Allen, J. P., & Ciarrocchi, J. W. (2000). Spirituality, religious problem-solving, and sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 18, 37–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oakes, E. K. (2008). Purpose in life: A mediating variable between involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous and long-term recovery. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 26, 450–463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okasaka, Y., Morita, N., Nakatani, Y., & Fujisawa, K. (2008). Correlation between addictive behaviors and mental health in university students. Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 62, 84–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Padelford, B. (1974). Relationship between drug involvement and purpose in life. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 30, 303–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I. (1999). Multidimensional measurements of religiousness/spirituality for use in health research. Kalamazoo, MI: Fetzer Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piderman, K. M., Schneekloth, T. D., Pankratz, S. V., Maloney, S. D., & Altchuler, S. I. (2007). Spirituality in alcoholics during treatment. The American Journal on Addictions, 16, 232–237.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piedmont, R. L. (2004). Spiritual transcendence as a predictor of psychosocial outcome from an outpatient substance abuse program. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 18, 213–222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piedmont, R. L. (1999). Does spirituality represent the sixth factor of personality? Spiritual transcendence and the five-factor model. Journal of Personality, 67, 985–1013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pocrnic, A., Hart, K., & Singh, T. (2009, October). Involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous during aftercare: Beneficial effects on criminal offending behavior. In Poster presented at Making Gains in AOD Conference, Toronto, ON.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. Q, & DiClemente, C. C. (1986). Toward a comprehensive model of change. In W. R. Miller & N. Heather (Eds.), Treating addictive behaviors: Processes of change (pp. 3–27). New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reker, G. T., & Peacock, E. J. (1981). The Life Attitude Profile (LAP): A multidimensional instrument for assessing attitudes toward life. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/, 13, 264–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reker, G. T. (1991). The LAP and LAP-R provisional procedures manual. Peterborough, ON, Canada: Trent University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reker, G. T. (2000). Theoretical perspective, dimensions, and measures of existential meaning. In G. T. Reker, & K. Chamerlain (Eds.), Exploring existential meaning: Optimizing human development across the lifespan (pp. 39–55). Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, A. E. R. & Hart, K. E. (2009, October). Understanding the relationship between AA involvement and abstinence self-efficacy: The mediating effects of specific versus inclusive sense of meaning. In Poster Presented at the Making Gains in AOD Research conference, Toronto Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, E. A. R., Cranford, J. A., Webb, J. R., & Brower, K. J. (2007). Six-month changes in spirituality, religiousness, and heavy drinking in a treatment-seeking sample. Journal Studies of Alcohol and Drugs, 68, 282–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, E. A. R., Cranford, J. A., & Krentzman, A. R. (2013). Increases in purpose of life over 2 1/2 years are associated with remission from alcohol dependence. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan (unpublished manuscript).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rocco, J. (2007). Purpose in life, religiosity, social support, and program involvement as predictors of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous participants. Unpublished master’s thesis, Humboldt State University, CA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudolf, H., & Watts, J. (2002). Quality of life in substance abuse and dependency. International Review of Psychiatry, 14, 190–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 141–166.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2006). Best news yet on the six-factor model of well-being. Social Science Research, 35, 1103–1119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2008). Know thyself and become what you are: A eudaimonic approach to psychological well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 13–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saito, S., & Ikegami, N. (1978). KAST (Kurihama Alcoholism Screening Test) and its applications. Japanese Journal of Alcohol and Drug Dependence, 13, 229–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, J. B., Aasland, O. G., Babor, T. F., De La Fuente, J. R., & Grant, M. (1993). Development of the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT): WHO collaborative project on early detection of persons with harmful alcohol consumption-II. Addiction, 88, 791–804.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, S. M., Lucas, V., & Kuras, L. (2007). Measuring the discrepancy between current and ideal spiritual and religious functioning in problem drinkers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 21, 404–408.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sayles, M. L. (1994). Adolescents’ purpose in life and engagement in risky behaviors: Differences by gender and ethnicity. Dissertation Abstracts International (Doctoral dissertation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger, S., Susman, M., & Koenigsberg, J. (1990). Self-esteem and purpose in life: A comparative study of women alcoholics. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 36, 127–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz, R. M., Burkhart, B. R., & Green, S. B. (1978). Turning on or turning off: Sensation seeking or tension reduction as motivational determinants of alcohol use. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46, 1144–1145.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shillingford, J. A. (1991). Alcohol use: The meditational role of stressful events, loss of control, social support, and meaninglessness. Dissertation Abstracts International (Doctoral dissertation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Staton, M., Webster, M. J., Hiller, M., Rostosky, S., & Leukefeld, C. (2003). An exploratory examination of spiritual well-being, religiosity, and drug use, among incarcerated men. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 3, 87–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, S. H., Hutson, A., & Connors, G. J. (2006). Exploration of the relationship between drinking intensity and quality of life. The American Journal on Addictions, 15, 356–361.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strole, L. (1956). Social integration and certain corollaries: An explanatory study. American Sociological Review, 21, 709–716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Betty Ford Institute Consensus Panel. (2007). What is recovery? A working definition from the Betty Ford Institute. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 33, 221–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilton, R. F. (2005). An examination of purpose in life in alcohol dependent clients. Dissertation Abstracts International (Doctoral dissertation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tonigan, S. J. (2001). Benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous attendance: Replication of findings between clinical research sites in project MATCH. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 19, 67–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsuang, M. T., Williams, W. M., Simpson, J. C., & Lyons, M. C. (2002). Pilot study of spirituality and mental health in twins. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 159, 486–488.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, J. A., & Grimley, D. M. (2011). Public health tools for practicing psychologists: Advances in psychotherapy: Evidence-based practice (Vol. 20). Cambridge, MA, USA: Hogrefe Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, J. A., & Simpson, C. A. (2011). The recovery spectrum: From self change to seeking treatment. Alcohol Research and Health, 44, 371–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • VonDras, D. D., Schmitt, R. R., & Marx, D. (2007). Associations between aspects of spiritual well-being, alcohol use, and related social-cognitions in female college students. Journal of Religious Health, 46, 500–515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waisberg, J. L. (1990). Purpose in life, depression, and outcome of treatment for alcohol dependence. Dissertation Abstracts International (Doctoral dissertation).

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterman, A. S. (2013). The best within us: Positive psychology perspectives on eudaimonia. Washington D.C., USA: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, P. T. P. (Ed.). (2012). The human quest for meaning: Theories, Research, and Applications (2nd ed.). GroupNew York, NY, USA: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, P. T. P., Thompson, G. R., Wong, L. C. J. (Eds.). (2013). The positive psychology of meaning and addiction recovery. Birmingham, AL, USA: Purpose Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R. J., & Hebert, E. (2005). The relationship between spiritual meaning and purpose and drug and alcohol use among college students. American Journal of Health Studies, 1, 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (1958). The First Ten Years of the World Health Organization: 1948–1957. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M., Kolin, E. A., Price, L., & Zoob, I. (1964). Development of sensation-seeking scale. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 28, 477–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada

    Kenneth Hart

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada

    Tyler Carey

Authors
  1. Kenneth Hart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tyler Carey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kenneth Hart .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Alexander Batthyany

  2. Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

    Pninit Russo-Netzer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hart, K., Carey, T. (2014). Ebb and Flow in the Sense of Meaningful Purpose: A Lifespan Perspective on Alcohol and Other Drug Involvement. In: Batthyany, A., Russo-Netzer, P. (eds) Meaning in Positive and Existential Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0308-5_20

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation