Patient attitudes concerning the inclusion of spirituality into addiction treatment.

The purpose of this exploratory study was 3-fold: (a) to determine how 'spirituality' is defined by inner-city HIV-positive drug users; (b) to determine perceived relationships between spirituality and abstinence, harm reduction, and health promotion; and (c) to assess interest in a spirituality-based intervention. Opioid-dependent patients enrolled in an inner-city methadone maintenance program participated in the study; 21 participated in focus groups and 47 completed a questionnaire. In the focus groups, two predominant themes emerged: spirituality as a source of strength/protection of self, and spirituality as a source of altruism/protection of others.