There is a misconception that spirituality and religion are one and the same. In fact, an individual can be spiritual with being religious. And the converse is also true! Spirituality is an integral part of the process when recovering from addiction. This is why at Lakeview Health, we find that openly discussing both spirituality and religion can be critical to successful rehabilitation. Learning about spirituality at Lakeview Health can help you make your decision regarding your addiction treatment program and care.
Why is Spirituality Important for a Person Battling Addiction?
From the beginning of human civilization, we have looked to faith and spirituality in times of crisis. Our rational, scientific mind is great for problem-solving and piecing together puzzles. But our spiritual and emotional sides are essential when dealing with issues that involve fear, the unknown, and ideas more significant than ourselves. All in all, being in touch with our spiritual side enables us to have a sense of well being and of comfort in our own skins. And make no mistake; spirituality is not just the provenance of the religious, or of the sage gurus of the past and present. Scientific research from groups like the World Health Organization has also continually demonstrated that spirituality is a significant contributor to one’s quality of life and overall sense of well-being.
Being in touch with one’s spiritual side is particularly useful when one is battling to overcome addiction. A person suffering at the hands of addiction is always isolated, separated from other people by the weight of their addiction. This fact is one of the reasons that addiction so often goes hand-in-hand with depression, anxiety, and trauma. If ever there were a time when a person needed all of the values and skills that we associate with spirituality — faith, forgiveness, reflection, empathy, and hope — it is when they are addicted. And whether they are religious or not, these values will serve them well.
Spirituality and the 12 Steps
When someone who suffers from the disease of addiction first enters treatment, they are introduced to the 12-step program of alcoholics or narcotics anonymous. For many, these twelve steps can easily be mistaken as a religious program because they involve acknowledging a power greater than ourselves. The twelve steps of alcoholics and narcotics anonymous is NOT a faith-based program. Many patients, therapists, and counselors choose to acknowledge that this “greater power” as explicitly non-religious.
At Lakeview Health, we introduce patients to spirituality through group and individual counseling. In this way, we use various tools to help our clients access their spirituality. The staff at Lakeview Health firmly believes that the more an individual is in touch with their spirituality, the better the chance they will have of achieving long-term sobriety. While some manage to get sober and find spirituality on their own, it is by no means an easy task.
Spirituality at Lakeview Health
At Lakeview Health Systems’ Florida Drug Rehab, an individual will get the care, support, and guidance needed to jump-start a life of sobriety. Everyone who suffers from addiction is different, which is why the staff at Lakeview Health works together to formulate an individual treatment plan for each client to help them discover the spirituality that is necessary to becoming and staying sober. Contact Lakeview Health today to get started on the path to well-being.
