Addiction is not only a disease of the brain but also of the spirit, highlighting the critical role of spiritual healing in recovery. In the 12-Step Program, integrating a higher power into our lives is a cornerstone of combating addiction. This connection with a power greater than ourselves is not necessarily religious but is about finding a profound spiritual grounding. I want to make clear to members that these thoughts are not definitive treatise on the subjects.
Personal Relationships and Recovery
No one is perfect at first when attempting to live a spiritual life, especially when we are coming back from a long spiritual hiatus. What is important though is that we strive to be a little better every single day and never give up on our spiritual journey in recovery. Our spiritual malady never just goes away and stays away on its own, it requires a constant spiritual connectivity and effort on our parts in our programs to keep it and the subsequent alcohol and drug abuse at bay.
The Concept of Spiritual Disease
Common signs include irritability, restlessness, and a pervasive sense of discontent. These feelings often drive us to seek relief through alcohol, creating a vicious cycle of dependence and escapism. Untreated spiritual malady can lead to a deep sense of dissatisfaction and disconnection, further fueling our addiction. Step 1 in the AA programme is “ We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable”. It is emotionally healthy to surrender and accept things over which we have no control.“God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference” is the Serenity Prayer used at every AA meeting.
- By taking the 12 steps as directed in the first 103 pages of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
- In fact our first “spiritual” wakening was probably the result of drinking as it transformed how we felt about ourselves and the world in which we lived.
- Understanding spiritual malady is pivotal for anyone on the path to recovery.
The psychology and neuropsychology of alcoholism, addictive behaviour and recovery.
- However, it is equally stating, I believe, that alcoholics suffer from the same spiritual malady as other people but our spiritual malady has led to chronic alcoholism, this is the manner in which sin has dominated “mentally and physically until we are their abject slaves”.
- After overcoming homelessness and drug addiction, Adam found his life’s purpose in helping addicts find the same freedom he found.
- I want to make clear to members that these thoughts are not definitive treatise on the subjects.
- With the right support system and a commitment to spiritual growth, overcoming spiritual malady is not only possible but transformative, leading to a fulfilling and sober life.
- Community-based organizations often offer support groups tailored to spiritual recovery, providing a network of individuals who understand the challenges and triumphs of the recovery journey.
- As overwhelming as I’m sure this all may seem for someone who’s either never had a spiritual connection, or been disconnected for years, I’d like to assure you it’s not as formidable as it may seem.
Daily gratitude and spiritual malady aa big book journaling help recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of life, fostering spiritual growth. I end, however, with some words from a doctor who seems to be suggesting that AA works because it makes us more emotionally healthy. I have suggested clearly in previous blogs how I think AA’s 12 recovery programme helps specifically with problems of emotion dysregulation.
This emotional immaturity is referenced throughout the Big Book I believe. My inventory showed me also that I did not seem to have the facility previously to emotionally respond to the world in a mature way. By sin I mean negative emotions that cause distress to me and others.
It is a reality of my powerlessness and unmanageability and enables me to see why I so desperately need to seek a Power Greater than myself. And unless this malady is recognized, and a course of action (the Twelve Steps) is taken to enable God to remove it, the root of our alcoholic illness can lie dormant and burn us when we least expect it. But we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet.
Inside The Alcoholic Brain
I must be God centered instead of self centered and God directed rather than self directed . The specific directions in the first 102 pages of the book Alcoholic Anonymous. Identifying the right support system is crucial for sustainable recovery. A supportive environment that understands the spiritual aspects of recovery can provide more meaningful assistance.
- One object is to disclose damaged or unsalable goods, to get rid of them promptly and without regret.
- This spiritual disease is not a physical ailment but a profound affliction of the spirit, manifesting as a sense of emptiness and disconnection from oneself and the world.
- This internal battle can make the path to healing and change even more challenging.
- Detox specialists can provide guidance on the best treatment options, ensuring that both physical and spiritual aspects of addiction are addressed.
Just an attempt to stimulate thought what is Oxford House or discussion and provide information based on my study and experience. Today I look further at the disease of alcoholism focusing on it as a spiritual malady. Professional help is important for addressing spiritual malady and addiction because it provides comprehensive care that addresses both physical and spiritual dimensions, offering a structured path to recovery.
Practice Makes Perfect
The sense of emptiness and unrest that accompanies spiritual malady can lead us to seek solace in substances, perpetuating the cycle of addiction. When you ask them to describe what they mean by that statement, they seem to have a firm grasp on the fact that we alcoholics suffer from “an allergy of the body and an obsession of the mind” — that once I put any alcohol in my system whatsoever it sets off a craving for more alcohol. The 12 Steps of AA are formulated to tackle and rectify spiritual malady, fostering spiritual awakening and recovery. The foundation of the 12-Step Program involves implementing a higher power in our lives, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of addiction recovery. From admitting powerlessness over alcohol to making a moral inventory and admitting wrongs, each step plays a crucial role in spiritual healing. Selfishness, self-centeredness, and self seeking are manifestations of spiritual malady that contribute to the cycle of addiction.
Finding the Right Support System
Alcoholics and children of alcoholics have a tendency to avoid emotions (use avoidant coping strategies) in fact and to use emotional reasoning when arguing a point. If you are suffering from symptoms of the spiritual malady, use these clarifying questions to ascertain where the problem lies. If you are a ‘real’ alcoholic or addict and if only a ‘spiritual experience’ will conquer your affliction, then is not important to know what a spiritual experience is, how to achieve it, and and most importantly, how to recognize it when you have it. Adam Vibe Gunton is an American author, speaker and thought leader in addiction treatment and recovery. After overcoming homelessness and drug addiction, Adam found his life’s purpose in helping addicts find the same freedom he found.