Incorporating Spirituality into Your Recovery

Recognize that Your Spirituality is Yours Alone

When you find something that works, that gives you spiritual peace, you might be tempted to share the good news with others – especially if they are also struggling with addiction. While there is nothing wrong with reaching out to others, you also need to understand that everyone’s spirituality is unique. We each have our own path, and what works for you might not work for someone else.

Share the good news, but let them decide if they want to choose the same path, and respect that choice.

Keep Your Eyes Open

Having a spiritual path is good, but you should also make sure you don’t get lost on it. Your spirituality will get you through some rough spots, but it’s not the only tool in your arsenal. Depending on what type of addiction you have, what’s happening in your life, and even your physical health status, you are also going to need to rely on people in the physical world like your friends, family, and therapists.

Also, one of the pitfalls of addiction is that those in recovery sometimes end up replacing one addiction with another. Sometimes that replacement takes the form of other substances, like cigarettes, caffeine, or sugar; but it can also take the form of unhealthy compulsive behaviors such as over-exercising, shopping, and even participating in spiritual activities.

If you find that your spiritual pursuits are starting to give you the same rush that you got when you were using your substance of choice, it might be time to step back and re-evaluate. This does not mean that you have to give up your spiritual pursuits, just that you may need to find a way to do so that does not trigger an addictive cycle.