How Being Spiritual Helps In Addiction Recovery

The Importance Of Spirituality To Recovery

When I was 20 years old, I developed a problem with my heart. My heart would race, even when I was sitting in a chair, and the beat would become uneven. It was a terrifying time for me. I had to have multiple tests done and made several visits to the hospital.

I went from an invincible 20-year-old, a weightlifter, runner, and lover of anything physical, to a broken and fearful person who wasn’t sure he was going to wake up the next day.

I’d done a pretty good job of abusing substances before that time and was at risk for severe addiction. So, I stopped using all substances.

I started to read spiritual books and asked myself how I wanted to live my life. I began to appreciate the little things in life. I would stop to watch a bird, a sunset, or the joy of a small child. I slowed down.

For 4 years, I took medication 4 times a day until my heart finally healed.

That’s right! I am grateful for that experience because it made me face what was really important in my life. I got spiritual. And guess what? My life became fantastic!

Spiritual People Stay Sober Successfully

Through the years, I’ve counseled a lot of addiction clients. One of the greatest pleasures I get from my work is watching people in recovery achieve a life free of substances and of all the problems that go with them.

I’ve often wondered what separates those who stay sober from those who continue to relapse. What I’ve noticed is that most of the successful people have a relationship with spirituality.

Many people respond fearfully when they hear the word spirituality because they often think that religion judges them harshly. But spirituality can be much more than religion. Whenever you honestly connect with something outside of yourself, that is spirituality.

How To Be Spiritual In Recovery

There are many ways to embrace spirituality in addiction recovery. Joining an anonymous group, like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, can be very spiritual. In these groups, you connect with a community of people who share their innermost selves to each other. Some would even call it “baring your soul.”

It’s kind of like confession in the Catholic Church, except the “church” is the room you meet in and doesn’t necessarily house a formal religious service.

Have you ever noticed the relief you feel when you stop lying and tell the truth to someone? It’s like a weight being lifted off your shoulders.

Some people feel spiritual in nature. They take a walk through a forest or sit by a river, watching the animals and enjoying the feeling of sunshine or the beauty of the moon at night. Others feel spiritual when they’re with their pets because pets accept us all the time, no matter what we’ve done. For some, listening to their favorite music is spiritual.

The list goes on and on. You can make almost anything spiritual if you have the right attitude towards it. To embrace spirituality, try doing the following:

• Be grateful for life, your body, sight, hearing, food, or good health
• Have a sense of awe in nature
• Be honest and humble with others (one on one or with a group of people)
• Sing or listen to music that makes you feel good
• Do something to help another person without expecting anything in return
• Attend a community event, church service, or support group like AA

Embrace Your Spirituality Today

Spirituality is about trying new things and doing things differently than you’ve done before. It’s not easy, though; some people resist it.

Some people say, “I hate AA, counseling, and rehab. I don’t need it for recovery.” From what I’ve seen, these are the people who don’t recover or who relapse more often.

It’s humbling to admit your truth to another person; it can also be embarrassing, scary, and emotional. But the prizes, like good health, friends, a job, and a happy life you’ve always wanted, are worth it. So get out there and try being spiritual. You just might change your life!

About the Author: Brian Carberg, LPC, NCC, BCPC Brian Carberg is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private counseling practice in Connecticut. He is a National Certified Counselor, a Board Certified Professional Counselor in the American Psychotherapy Association, and holds a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling. He has been assisting people in their healing journeys since 1990, serving as a counselor and supervisor in various Mental Health and Addiction programs. For 10 years he worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor and Supervisor in an outpatient treatment program for people addicted to Heroin and other Opiates. In his current private counseling practice, he thoroughly enjoys assisting clients in all stages of recovery from various addictions. He believes today can be the start of the life you want, if you are willing to do the work.