Self‑transcendence and identity transformation in recovery from substance use disorder
Mehrdad F. Falavarjani
American Journal of Medicine and Health Studies June 26, 2026 DOI: 10.32674/5p5crr47 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Person with substance use disorder |
| Interventions | spiritually oriented intervention narrative reconstruction contemplative techniques |
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Identity music Contemplation Existentialism Narrative identity Psychosocial Intervention counseling Substance use Spirituality Psychotherapist Phenomenology philosophy Mechanism biology Everyday life Psychology of self Construct python library Interpretative phenomenological analysis Qualitative research Self-concept Identity formation |
| Key findings | A spiritually oriented intervention emphasizing self-transcendence and identity transformation helped a participant move from an addiction-centered identity toward a more integrated spiritual self capable of engaging with everyday life. |
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is typically treated using biomedical and psychosocial approaches that focus on reducing symptoms, regulating neurobehavioral processes, and managing behavior. While these approaches are effective for many individuals, they may not fully address the deeper challenges associated with long-term substance use, such as existential distress, disruptions in identity, and a diminished sense of meaning. Drawing on a phenomenological hermeneutic perspective, this paper presents a single-case study of a spiritually oriented intervention that emphasizes self-transcendence and transformation of identity rather than solely focusing on symptom reduction. Through structured spiritual practices, including narrative reconstruction and contemplative techniques, the participant moved away from an identity centered on addiction and avoidance toward a more integrated spiritual self capable of engaging with everyday life. These findings suggest that reorganizing identity through spiritually grounded approaches may represent an important mechanism of change in the treatment of SUD.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecstasy (MDMA) dependence Individuals meeting criteria for MDMA dependence | 1999 | Case series | n = 3 |
| Potential Human Neurotoxicity of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’): Subjective Self-Reports, Evidence from an Italian Drug Addiction Centre and Clinical Case Studies Polydrug consumers attending a Public Health Addiction Treatment Unit in Italy | 2000 | Review and clinical case series | |
| A case report SPECT study and theoretical rationale for the sequential administration of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. 31-year-old male military veteran with moderate alcohol use disorder | 2018 | Case study | n = 1 |
| LSD Overdoses: Three Case Reports Three individuals who experienced accidental LSD overdose | 2020 | Case series | n = 3 |
| Remission of Severe Opioid Use Disorder with Ibogaine: A Case Report. 37-year-old female with severe opioid use disorder | 2016 | Case study | n = 1 |