Health, Spirituality and Medical Ethics

Background and Objectives: Addicts are among the socially disadvantaged people whose quality of life has been changed and damaged due to drug abuse. This in turn has influenced their physical, psychological and social health. Addiction is a phenomenon that has long existed in different human societies; and now again, it is still expanding despite the scientific advances and indisputable increase in people’s level of understanding and awareness. As such, this study aimed to examine the relationship between religious orientation and quality of life of the addicts.

Methods: This is a descriptive-correlational study in which Alport religious orientation questionnaire and  SF-12 quality of life questionnaire were used for data collection and analysis. The population consisted of the addicted men who  had referred to 8 drug treatment centers in the  city of Qom in 2013-14, out of whom 190 subjects were selected. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and correlation coefficient test. 

Results: The findings showed that there was a significant relationship between religious orientation and quality of life of addicts (p<0/05).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that external religious orientation in people being treated from the drug addiction can be used as a defense and supporting mechanism to improve the quality of life in them. Therefore, the likelihood of successful treatment will be increased by strengthening the external religious orientation.