When you think of spirituality you might think of religion. This is a common misconception. Spirituality is a transient and unique concept to every individual on this planet. It is not just crosses, crystals, or holy books. It is a sourc ofe energy that lets people feel empowered and connected to a greater power. Anyone can benefit from being spiritual, but especially recovering addicts. When incorporated into the recovery process, spirituality can help people connect to a larger sense of purpose, stay dedicated to sobriety, and more than anything else, understand themselves.
Sources of Spirituality During Recovery
One’s spiritual practice may involve them attending a place of worship, reading a holy text, praying, or spending time in nature. There is no wrong way to be spiritual – what is truly important is finding something that personally brings you joy. On the same token, definitions of spirituality do not need to remain the same throughout one’s life. Actually, the opposite tends to occur, and individuals typically have evolved concepts of religion after exposure to new perspectives and experiences.
Most of spirituality is centered around the larger questions in life: what is the purpose in life, what does it mean to be a good person, why do people suffer, and does everything happen for a reason?
Dr. Christina Puchalski is the director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health and states that spirituality is “the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred.”
Spirituality’s Effects on Recovery
While spirituality might mean different things to different people, it typically evokes similar internal responses. This can include but is not limited to, believing in something greater than yourself, finding solace, searching for meaning, living by a set of values, and valuing taking care and respecting yourself. In recovery, you may feel aimless or experience an onset of depression. It is highly suggested that patients also pursue a path of spirituality or enlightenment to help cope with some of the withdrawal or healing stages. Spirituality can be practiced both physically and mentally. On a physical level, you can participate in yoga and devotionals. Emotional spirituality can be gratitude and meditation. Either practice increases and improves your sense of connectedness.
California Addiction Treatment
It has also been reported that practicing spirituality has a mind-body connection that invoking self-care. While abusing drugs can encourage harmful behaviors such as eating specific foods, drinking or smoking excessively, or putting yourself at risk, spirituality encourages cleansing via food and exercise. These practices create a positive feedback loop as they generate a sense of contentment and fulfillment, filling a void that drugs and alcohol cannot. At Asana Recovery, we aim to bring you back to your healthiest state, regardless of where you are on your recovery journey. Our trained medical professionals are available around the clock to provide both cognitive and emotional support during your path to sobriety. To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, you can reach us at (949) 438-4504 or on the web.
