There’s actually a more fulfilling (and less accusatory) way to weave spirituality into the picture — one that doesn’t clash with the science and is ultimately more positive and optimistic. Find Addiction Rehabs is not a medical provider or treatment facility and does not provide medical advice. Find Addiction Rehabs does not endorse any treatment facility or guarantee the quality of care provided, or the results to be achieved, by any treatment facility. The information provided by Find Addiction Rehabs is not a substitute for professional treatment advice. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction help is available 24/7.
- It is rooted in the idea of being spiritually sick—a condition that profoundly affects our soul and emotional nature.
- When dealing with the disease of alcoholism we are selfish and self-centered beings.
- When people become too self-reliant, they often start to think that they don’t need AA anymore.
- Right now, on this inventory step, all we’re doing is identifying our part in any damaged relationships.
- Yes, something is certainly wrong, but it’s not that the soul is broken (which is impossible from an objective standpoint), it’s that they’ve lost touch with their soul.
The Spiritual Malady of Addiction: What Is It Exactly?
If we’re serious about our recovery, if we really want to experience freedom from these behaviors that keep us in bondage, we have to be rigorously honest with our answers. But like it says in the serenity prayer; we accept hardship as a pathway to peace. In other words, the mental and physical factors of addictive and compulsive behaviors are put into remission AFTER the “spiritual malady” is overcome. And yet, if you’ve spent any time around AA folks, chances are the term has come up.
- They seem very judgemental of everyone and it’s just not my thing.
- This very much resonates for me, as one who has suffered intense anxiety.
- This connection is believed to restore sanity and address the turmoil caused by alcohol misuse, aligning thoughts, emotions, and beliefs to overcome the spiritual unrest.
- Identifying the right support system is crucial for sustainable recovery.
- Spiritually, we have adifficult time connectingto a higher power.
- There are also many great detox facilities in Glenwood Springs that can help people get the physical component of addiction out of their system and under control.
The Concept of Spiritual Disease
It is completely understandable to want to try to get rid of our suffering – particularly if we’re exhausted and deeply wounded. What’s wrong with trying to banish or get rid of what we go through? I’m talking about anxiety, depression, anger, resentment, bitterness, the whole shebang. So the question isn’t how to “heal” your soul (because the soul is Divine and incapable of being fractured – you can experience this while meditating), but how to find your soul. Spiritual healing occurs as we begin to consciously reconnect with our essential being – the wise, loving, powerful, creative entity that we are at our core.
Stay Positive and Drink Less With Reframe!
This is due to the fact that addiction is really a spiritual disorder. Although the disease has biological, behavioral, and psychological roots, treating those aspects, without including the spiritual component, is like sticking a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. This resistance to anything spiritual is the biggest obstacle some addicts confront. To beat their addiction, people must face the reality that there is indeed a power larger than themselves.
Life’s challenges are inevitable, and they will surely come our way, but when we address spiritual malady, we develop emotional and mental resilience, which helps us navigate the tough times with ease. Last year I was diagnosed with diabetes, which I’ve written more about here. Fortunately, it was caught early enough that I had a chance to try and manage it with lifestyle changes. The day after I got the news, I started on my brand new low-sugar, low-carb lifestyle of eating, which I referred to at the time as the “no more happiness” diet. (Its actually turned out to be awesome!) I suffered what is spiritual malady a good amount of physical cravings the first two weeks.
- One of the great things about AA is that it’s flexible – you can make it work for you, even if you don’t believe in God.
- Recognizing and addressing spiritual malady is essential to one’s overall well-being.
- This did help me deal with a miserable situation in a more meaningful way.
Seek support and introspection to address these symptoms. By embracing these steps and principles, we Alcoholics Anonymous can experience a profound transformation and find peace and purpose in our recovery journey. Sustaining a conscious connection with a higher power through prayer and meditation is crucial for spiritual development and recovery. Engaging in regular prayer can deepen our connection with a higher power, providing a sense of peace and guidance. This daily practice helps stabilize and clarify our lives, significantly reducing the obsession with substances and offering a sense of freedom.
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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. Thankfully, the “spiritual malady” is no longer a “missing piece” of Step One for me.