Harvard Confirms What Many Already Know: Spiritual Practice Is a Powerful Shield Against Addiction

A landmark analysis of 55 long-term studies involving over half a million adults has found that spirituality defined as any practice through which someone finds meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than themselves … may significantly protect against misuse of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other substances. This isn't just about religion. It's about the profound human need to feel connected to something beyond ourselves. Science is catching up with what spiritual communities have known for centuries.