“I Haven't Stopped Drinking,I Just Changed My Brand”

Pentecostalism is examined as an alternate “drug” that provides psychophysiological arousal, excitement, and euphoria through a trance state known as “having the Holy Ghost.” The amount of time, energy, and money devoted to Pentecostal activities provides another point of comparison to substance abuse “subcultures.” The multiplicity of activities results in the creation of a sense of community identification. This is enhanced by a belief system that dichotomizes people, objects, and events, and places counterposed values at opposite poles. Pentecostals who were substance abusers are interviewed in order to draw value comparisons between the Pentecostal “drug” and chemical substances. The comparison between these two focuses upon the rewards and fulfillments both life-styles offer to their adherents. It is felt that Pentecostalism is an effective substitute for substance abuse because it offers similar, if not superior, attractions to drugs and alcohol.