Healing in Christ: approaches to the study of evangelical therapy to treat drug addiction

MOSQUEIRA, MARIELA A.; ALGRANTI, JOAQUÍN M.

Alternative Therapies in Latin America: Policies, Practices and Belief

Nova Science Publishers

Lugar: New York; Año: 2018; p. 109 - 126

The authors explore religious therapy to treat drug addiction within evangelical groups in Buenos Aires City, ArgentinaThis therapy manages to produce a synthesis between bio-medical and psychological treatments focused in recovering people from drug problems;and the system of interventions, knowledge and discourses related to evangelical techniques. The main question is: What is the relationship that brings together religious images and their symbolic and instrumental productions, their institutions, and professional technique with the universe of drug abuse? To understand the proposals of healing with spiritual therapy, the authors distinguish two dimensions of this phenomenon.In the first place, and starting with the established institutions, they reconstruct the field of religious intervention concerning drug abuse issues and its singular networks with the State. They will specifically analyze, , the combined dynamics that connected, the National Network of Christian Rehabilitation, Training and Prevention of Addictions - Life program - with the Programming Sector for the Prevention of Drug Addiction and Fight Against Narcotics in Argentina (SEDRONAR) and other public institutions by means of two ground-breaking public policies: ?Recovery-Inclusion Program? along with the ?Enamorar Program? (Fall in Love Program) during a specific period of time (2014-2015).In the second place, the authors explore the biographical transformations of a trajectory to recovery that is directly linked with the different circuits that are offered by evangelical groups. Its therapeutic itinerary is analyzed according to the turning points that organize its biography in terms of sociabilities, environment and life styles. Hence, through their interviewee´s personal history, they will be able to sociologically recognize different stages. This article is part of the current Proyecto de Investigacion Plurianual (PIP) (Multi--Annual Investigation Project). The reflections that the authors present are the result of qualitative research combining in depth- interviews and ethnographies in evangelical ministries, aimed to the prevention and treatment of people with drug related problems in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. Key Words: Drug Users; Therapeutics; Religion; Argentina.