Spirituality in recovery is important, regardless of religious affiliation. Though many people confuse the two, spirituality actually focuses on the human spirit rather than on some religious denomination’s doctrine. Caring for your spirit during recovery is vital, which is where many 12-step approaches come into play. Learning to care for yourself and others will help you make positive changes in your life. Positive change is necessary to carry you through recovery and beyond.
Spirituality in Recovery Versus Religion
Someone who identifies as religious feels tied to a bigger, more powerful entity than themselves, whether it’s God, Buddha, Allah, or others. The person believes and practices that religion to the exclusion of all others. Someone who is spiritual, however, is more likely to believe in a higher power without exactly being tethered to them. This person may adopt policies and practices and adapt them to fit.
Many of today’s 12-step programs are adaptable. Clients are free to pick and choose the ones that fit and discard the principles that they feel don’t apply. You don’t have to adopt one specific religion to benefit from the guiding principles. Rather, you make the principles fit your particular story, and you work them in such a way that they target your issues, your goals, and your opportunities. Research has shown that customization is key to preventing relapse, and the 12-stop model of recovery is a prime place to begin.
Caring for Your Spirit in Recovery
Having a greater calling or serving a greater good is a solid goal to work toward when you’re facing the challenges of drug or alcohol recovery. This can be beneficial in many ways:
- Bringing comfort
- Setting limits and boundaries
- Envisioning a helper
- Giving feelings of accomplishment and achievement
- Imagining that things are unfolding exactly as they’re supposed to
- Controlling cravings
When you’ve tried so hard for so long to manage an unmanageable life, giving control to someone else — especially to someone you view as stronger and wiser — can bring immense relief. Often, it’s exactly the respite that clients need to be able to step back, take a deep breath, and re-focus. Additionally, knowing that you have someone in your corner, pulling for you can be helpful for clients who lack a strong supportive network of healthy family and friends.
Feeding Your Human Spirit
Being true to yourself is a learned recovery behavior that helps clients care for themselves and their own needs, both physically and emotionally. When you feed your own human spirit, you learn how to make yourself feel happy and loved. You give yourself everything you need to be successful and to feel worthy. Most importantly, you no longer have to rely on a chemical substance to feel ‘good.’
In recovery, clients have many opportunities to feed their human spirit, including:
- Meditation
- Communing with Nature
- Prayer
- Communing with peers
- Attending support group meetings
- Adopting and adapting their higher power
Spirituality in recovery is just as important as detox or aftercare. It’s a necessity for healing to take place and to stick, even after treatment ends. Also, it’s amazing how much impact a client may experience, just from working on their spirituality. For example, this can help heal depression and anxiety, relinquish shame and guilt, boost self-love and self-esteem, and improve coping skills. Because just knowing that you have someone on your side, pulling for you, can be a powerful enough idea to help you pull out of the downward spiral of addiction.
Recovering at Atlantic Recovery Center
When you’re ready to reach out and embrace a sober life, Atlantic Recovery Center in Davie, Florida can help you find spirituality in recovery. We offer experienced staff and compassionate care, set against the serene backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Contact us today at 1-866-824-5193 for answers to all your questions regarding drug and alcohol treatment in Davie, Florida.