Occupational meanings and spirituality: the quest for sobriety

This article compares two differing models of intervention for persons with alcohol dependence--the Moyers Model for occupational therapy and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Both models were found to share practice strategies but to differ in their emphasis on spirituality and self-control. Additionally, the Moyers Model was basically procedural in its description of the clinical reasoning process, whereas AA places great emphasis on the spiritual aspects of recovery. Because this disparity may lead to confusion when the person with alcohol dependence is involved in both an occupational therapy program (using Moyers Model) and an AA program, the Moyers Model was revised to include a conditional reasoning structure (i.e., a process for therapists to help clients find meaning in actions). By providing opportunities to explore meaning through action during occupations, the revised Moyers Model is both more consistent with the AA principles of spiritual recovery and in keeping with the occupational therapy philosophy of addressing the needs of the whole person.