The disease of addiction can be defined as a biopsychosocial and spiritual disorder characterized by loss of control and negative consequences. Let’s focus for the time being (and for the purposes of this blog) on the spiritual aspects of Recovery.
What then is meant by Spirituality? It means different things to different people. For example, religion may be helpful to some people in achieving Spirituality (if you happen to be religious) but religion is not essential for everyone in attaining a spiritual state. Atheists and agnostics may also acquire Spirituality without being religious.
Before we even get to what is meant by Spirituality, we should ask ourselves: why do we even want Spirituality in the first place?
Most people agree that Spirituality, whatever that is, makes you FEEL at peace, or at ease (as opposed to dis-ease): this is something my addictionist has emphasized repeatedly. Spirituality makes one FEEL calm and content. Therefore, Spirituality is a worthwhile goal.
Everyone has a slightly different perspective on Spirituality so it is important to keep an open mind and celebrate the diversity of points of view or perspectives in society. This open-mindedness is spiritual in and of itself!
A very important component of Spirituality is feeling connected – with nature, with family, with people, with community and society, with a Higher Power (whatever that is for each person). The First Nations people seem to have an especially good grasp of this aspect of Spirituality. That feeling of connectivity, if lost, leads to big problems in addicts/alcoholics. The feeling of connectivity, of belonging, is therefore essential for a successful Recovery.
If one asks people what they mean by Spirituality, the answers are varied but not mutually exclusive. Typical responses are (this is far from being a complete list):
- purposefulness
- openheartedness
- gratitude
- fulfilment
- acceptance of others
- acceptance of oneself
- fills emptiness
- enjoyment of life
- contentment
- altruism
- positivity
- good will
- honesty
- reassurance
Central to Spirituality is a feeling of Hope (not necessarily Faith) that all will be well, or at least, that things will work out in the end. This Hope stems from our connectivity with others, our willingness to ask for help and receive it.
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