5 Ways Spirituality Helps Addiction Recovery

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 72 percent of Americans believe in a higher power. Numbers like these can be surprising, especially when it comes to recovery. Seldom do we hear “addiction recovery” and “spirituality” in the same sentence. 

However, countless studies have shown the healing powers of a specific form of treatment known as holistic therapy. 

This form of treatment approaches the recovery process from a mind, body, soul perspective and allows the individual to include their spirituality in their healing process, and it’s incredibly effective.

If you or a loved one is new to the addiction recovery process, know that continued education and awareness is KEY. 

Here are five unique ways that spirituality can benefit your recovery journey, broaden your overall sense of awareness, and enhance your knowledge of a sober lifestyle.  

1. A Shared Community

Although spirituality and religion are two separate things, they both can provide a distinct sense of community, and for an individual in recovery, this is essential. 

It’s also highly common for spiritual beliefs to be associated with large collective gatherings. This can be incredibly helpful for an individual in their treatment process when the principle of spirituality is introduced. 

Oftentimes, a therapist or a counselor can discuss concepts of spirituality in a group setting and slowly integrate inclusive, community-focused thinking when it comes to overall spiritual awareness and your treatment journey.

2. Provide Direction & Structure

Alcoholics Anonymous uses a curriculum highly centered around spirituality. They are not tied to any one specific religion, but instead, they believe that as spiritual beings we are inherently connected to a divine or “higher” power. 

In the “Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous,” A.A.’s widely known twelve-step program, it asks that their participants, “Believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” 

The signature twelve-step program is just one example of how the integration of spirituality into treatment can create structure, order, and accountability. 

3. Accountability

It’s common for individuals exiting treatment to be easily influenced when returning to their home environment. There are countless distractions or triggers that can often cause someone to relapse. 

Spirituality can often act as an anchor amidst the ups and downs of the recovery process. By holding yourself accountable to a higher power, whoever that may be, you end up focusing your energy on only those things that your higher power would deem healthy or respectable. 

Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all process, and neither is spirituality—it’s about what works for you. So it can be incredibly helpful to include a personal sense of spiritual awareness to keep yourself accountable or held to a “higher” standard. 

4. Self Empowerment & Self-Love

As mentioned earlier, spirituality and religion are not the same thing. Religion is a unique set of organized beliefs and traditional practices held by a specific group of people. Spirituality is an individualized practice that focuses on peace and overall earthly purpose. 

The beauty of spirituality, although it can be celebrated in a group setting, is that it is designed for the individual. This personalized level of connection is incredibly powerful in fostering self-love and even confidence. 

Your higher power does not have to be a dominating or judgemental force, which can be fairly common in a lot of organized religion. Instead, your spiritual connection can be tailored to YOU. 

5. Mind, Body, Soul Connection

Studies have proven the connection between mind and body. We were all beautifully designed for connection and unity. 

Oftentimes, it’s a complex array of reasons why an individual struggles with substance abuse. So with that in mind, it can be incredibly powerful to also include one’s spirituality into the healing process. 

Doctors, clinicians, therapists and treatment professionals alike should always be willing to address you from a mind, body, soul perspective. True healing is a wholesome and holistic experience, unique to the individual and their specific needs. 

To learn more about our comprehensive treatment offerings, please contact us today.