A Leap of Faith: African American Muslim Youth Converts and Substance Abuse

Background & Purpose:  Youth substance use continues to be a major public health concern within our society. The issue of substance use among youth is of concern to social workers and the profession because the consequences of substance use disorders, while directly affecting individuals and society, have an additional negative effect on family functioning and often affects those vulnerable populations which are often served by the profession. Conversely, research has indicated that religion is a protective factor when it comes to engaging in substance use, specifically among African American youth. As a protective factor, religion can guide African American youth towards a path of piety, positive decision making, and appropriate moral reasoning. Within the African American culture, religion has been a strong pillar of the community often serving as an instrument to help people cope, provide understanding and explanation, and serve as an intergenerational force among family members.

Consequently, very little research has examined African American Muslim converts and the relationship between religion and substance use. Given the conversion rates among African Americans (59%), it is important to understand the nature of this phenomenon as it relates to substance using youth. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the lived experience of Muslim converts as it is conveyed through the narratives of African American youth around issues of substance abuse and substance abuse treatment.     

Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach with purposive sampling was utilized to recruit 15 African American youth, who were admitted to a large urban substance abuse treatment program. Youth were selected if they (1) acknowledged that they utilized Islam in treatment and recovery related activities and (2) were able to articulate their lived experiences for the purpose of this study. The selected youth shared their experiences in practicing Islam (both before and after conversion) regarding substance use, treatment and recovery in an audio-taped interview that was transcribed verbatim. 

Results: A thematic analysis conveyed the very essence of religion as a protective factor among this population.  Consistent themes related to the analysis were (1) reconnecting to a higher power (Allah), (2) accountability to religion and culture, (3) sense of responsibility to family and community, (4) transformation/sense of renewal and discipline, (5) decrease in emptiness/loneliness, (6) sense of altruism, commitment, and purpose.  Participants in this study discussed in great detail how their attitude and beliefs about drugs and drug use changed following their conversion to Islam.  Additionally, participants discussed the tenets of the Islam as important factors for beginning and maintaining their recovery process.

Implications: These findings can guide social work practitioners in discussions about religion as a protective factor among African American Muslim converts with substance use disorders.  These findings further the discussion of integrating principles of religion into standard clinical practice. These findings also advocate for and promote the need for a culturally diverse biopsychosocial assessment, which includes an in depth exploration of religion. Future studies should explore thematic differences between Muslim immigrant youth and youth who converted to Islam.