Prayer ‘can minimise alcohol cravings’

Researchers from New York University (NYU) have published a study that claims prayer can “diminish” alcohol cravings for those with an addiction.

Scientists have claimed that prayer can reduce alcohol cravings in AA members

The NYU team worked with members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to study their levels of craving after various tests.

Participants were first shown a range of images said to induce alcohol cravings. They were then asked to read an AA “prayer”.

Of the 20 AA participants, none reported alcohol cravings in the week prior to testing, but all said they experienced some degree of desire for alcohol after viewing the initial images.

However, all participants said their level of craving was reduced after reciting the prayer.

MRI scans showed that praying had increased activity in areas of the brain which control emotion and attention.

Dr. Marc Galanter, senior author of the study and professor of psychiatry, and director of the Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse at the university, told the Independent that some AA participants had gained an “innate ability” to use prayer to manage the impact of alcohol triggers.

“Craving is diminished in long-term AA members compared to patients who have stopped drinking for some period of time but are more vulnerable to relapse,” he continued.

“This finding suggests that there appears to be an emotional response to alcohol triggers, but that it’s experienced and understood differently when someone has the protection of the AA experience.

“Our current findings open up a new field of inquiry into physiologic changes that may accompany spiritual awakening and perspective changes in AA members and others.”

The study did not look at the effect similar acts of concentration, such as meditation, may have on alcohol cravings.