Bishri Hafi Effect: How spirituality might stall off the addiction recovery

This article introduces the Bishri Hafi Effect, a distinctive psycho-spiritual phenomenon that appears to hinder the recovery journey of individuals struggling with alcohol and substance addiction. This effect is characterized by the belief held by addicts that their recovery is contingent upon an external (supernatural) force, rather than their own agency, thereby creating a significant hurdle in their path to overcoming addiction. The phenomenon emerged as a byproduct of a larger study involving 10 individuals undergoing treatment for alcohol and substance addiction at various Green Crescent (Yeşilay) Consultancy Center branches in Istanbul between 2019 and 2021. Employing phenomenological analysis, this effect was identified and examined within the broader context of the study. During spiritual counseling sessions that incorporates Islamic tradition, it became apparent that some individuals, when presented with the recovery story of Bishri Hafi—a key figure in Islamic tradition symbolizing alcohol addiction—tended to idealize his narrative, often to the point of overlooking their own personal progress. The story of Bishri Hafi triggered an outlook wherein recovery was anticipated as a miraculous event. This article aims to introduce and shed light on this unique phenomenon, highlighting its unexpected impact within the realm of spirituality in addiction treatment.