Faith-based alcohol treatment in England and Wales: New evidence for policy and practice

While the historical importance of religion in alcohol treatment is well known, the size, scope and significance of contemporary activities remain unclear. Here we begin to address this gap in knowledge by presenting results from a mixed methods study of faith-based alcohol treatment in England and Wales. The paper begins by mapping location, religious affiliation, organisational structure and service provision. We then discuss evidence regarding challenges, opportunities and tensions bound up with faith-based organisations 'filling gaps' left by long term restructuring of alcohol service provision, recent 'austerity' funding cuts and relationships between secular and faith-based organisations. In the final substantive section, we engage with questions of ethics and care by focusing on the internal workings of a subset of faith-based programs that make requirements for religious participation. Drawing on the variegated experiences of service-users, we reflect on the ethics of religious conversion in faith-based alcohol treatment. The conclusion offers policy and practice relevant insights and outlines areas for future research on religion, austerity, and alcohol treatment.