In a recent video discussion, I had the opportunity to share my personal journey with addiction and how faith played a crucial role in my recovery. We delved into the challenges of incorporating faith into the recovery process and how it can be a game-changer for those struggling with addiction.
Summary of the Discussion
I grew up in a Catholic household and was always aware of God’s presence. However, my faith was tested as my father struggled with alcoholism, and I turned to drugs and alcohol as a teenager. My life took a turn when I attended a retreat and had a profound spiritual experience. From then on, I started noticing signs that God was guiding me through my journey, ultimately leading to my sobriety.
Faith can be difficult for those in recovery, as they often find themselves in a place of doubt and lack. My turning point was when I decided to integrate faith into my recovery process by helping others with addiction. Through prayer, meditation, and Bible study, I have strengthened my faith and maintained my sobriety.
Key Takeaways
- Faith as a muscle: The more you practice faith, the easier it becomes to utilize it in your recovery journey. Faith helps in taking that crucial first step towards sobriety and believing in a full, sober life.
- Surrender and trust: Overcoming addiction without surrendering to a higher power and trusting in something greater than oneself can be challenging. This surrender is essential for a successful recovery.
- Incorporating faith into daily routines: Prayer, meditation, and Bible study can help maintain focus on sobriety and strengthen faith. Building a support network through church communities or recovery groups can provide additional encouragement.
- Faith over fear: By choosing faith over fear, individuals can break free from the cycle of addiction and start believing in themselves and their ability to recover.
- Being still and introspective: Exploring spirituality begins with being still and in tune with oneself. Journaling, praying, and reflecting on one’s thoughts and dreams can help nurture spiritual growth.
Personal Advice as an Addiction Recovery Expert
- Be open to exploring spirituality and faith as part of your recovery journey.
- Seek out a support network that shares your beliefs and values.
- Practice daily rituals that nurture your faith and spiritual growth.
- Focus on surrendering to a higher power and trusting in the process.
- Reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences to deepen your understanding of your spirituality.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How can faith help with addiction recovery? Faith provides a sense of hope, purpose, and strength, enabling individuals to overcome addiction by surrendering to a higher power and trusting the process.
- How do I start incorporating faith into my recovery journey? Begin by exploring your spirituality through stillness, introspection, and prayer. Seek out support networks, such as church communities or recovery groups, that align with your beliefs.
- What is the difference between faith and magical thinking? Faith is a belief in a higher power and trust in the process of recovery, while magical thinking is the unrealistic expectation that problems will resolve themselves without effort.
- Can faith alone help me recover from addiction? While faith can be a powerful motivator and source of strength, combining faith with practical actions, such as therapy, support groups, and healthy coping mechanisms, is essential.
- How can I maintain my faith and sobriety in the long term? Maintain your faith and sobriety by incorporating daily practices that nurture your spiritual growth, such as prayer, meditation, and Bible study. Engage in a supportive community, attend recovery meetings, and seek accountability partners to help you stay on track. Additionally, focusing on personal growth, self-reflection, and continued learning will contribute to maintaining your faith and sobriety.
Kevin
May 24, 2023 at 11:58 am
One must have real Faith – in any Path – for there to be something to lean on. When people reach the door of recovery, so to speak, some arrive with faith, some an experience of faith that they deeply question, some only a childhood experience of a religion they were taken to but never owned, some who have never had a faith &/or religious experience, some that simply reject all religion, and still others who vehemently reject the faith/religious experience of their past. The VAST majority come to recovery with little or no Belief in a Path of any type they can or will trust. There are those that were sure of their Faith in the beginning, only to find it no longer works for them. Do they shift to a different Path, are left empty or some sort of limbo. The flat out truth is – no one is going to surrender to the concept of a higher power they don’t believe. Period. And with that comes the inability to see their own powerlessness. It isn’t safe to admit powerlessness, for real, if there isn’t a safety net.
I feel it is very important for one to work with someone who has the expertise and compassion to assist them in sorting out things for themselves.
I have worked with many people. When we first start our conversation I ask lots of questions. I want to get clear about their spiritual/ religious background. I ask for specifics. What worked for them in the past. What didn’t. What do they feel now works for them and what doesn’t. What is their current concept of spiritual cosmology and how/when did they arrive at it. If it is an understanding they came to in adulthood, no matter how sure they are, what were they taught as a child. Those ideas are still hanging out in the background – good, bad, or indifferent. Often they are mixed up and filtered through their relationships with the adults in their lives at the time. Those ideas are the ones parked in their subconscious mind that are really coloring everything.
Learning how to examine one’s beliefs with love, honesty, and an open mind is invaluable.
IF one stays within recovery, stays sober, their spirituality must grow and mature. With time passing living life on life’s terms drives home the understanding of personal powerlessness, in all areas. The NEED for a larger understanding & a deeper walk becomes self evident. Having the tools*, & willingness, to access that larger understanding, that deeper walk will determine whether or not Recovery, Sobriety, abstinence continues.
*These tools are Willingness, Honesty, Open mindedness, Prayer, Meditation, Writing & more writing, Working with someone who can guide, A Support Network, Friends who tell you the truth, and Service work – this can not be stressed enough!
Blessings,
Rev. Kevin Kline