This project was undertaken in response to the claims of Alcoholics Anonymous regarding the spiritual etiology of alcohol addiction in light of the recent growth of various Twelve Step groups, and the concurrent retreat of hospital-based treatment programs. This project functions as a theoretical prolegomenon to clinical praxis by utilizing the work of Adrian van Kaam, the writings of Bill Wilson, the Muslim tradition, and other theorists such as Paul Ricoeur in a mutually explicative manner.
The analysis displays commonalties between the Twelve Steps and Islam that are validated by van Kaam's constructs, and could be seen as predicted by his theories. It is these commonalties that have clinical merit and can lead to clinical testing.
It was hypothesized that inordinate mood-altering behaviors, the precursor to an addiction, could be understood in a contemporary and clinically relevant manner as symptomatic of spiritual disorder. It was also hypothesized that confusion over the meaning of the term "spirituality" resulted in clinical confusion, disarray and ineffective clinical procedures, and that the new field of Formative Spirituality, especially as articulated by Adrian van Kaam, would provide us with the theoretical constructs needed to understand the term "spirituality" in a clinically relevant manner. Armed with this understanding of spirituality we would be enabled to understand Bill Wilson's claims regarding the etiology of addictions.
Evidence is provided from the most recent and presumably academically sound writings that "spirituality" is not understood in a clear and distinct manner. Evidence is also provided that indicates the possibility that any mood-altering behavior may be indicative of spiritual disorder. This finding was not anticipated at the beginning of the research. Directions for clinical praxis are indicated at various points in this study.