What Value Does Spirituality Have On Lasting Recovery?

Working to recover from substance use disorders (SUDs), mental health disorders, and other types of addictions is, nonetheless, challenging. Part of this is because many personal factors contribute to the development of these conditions. Likewise, all factors must be addressed in treatment to establish long-term recovery. Although there is no one-size-fits-all treatment to ensure long-lasting sobriety and recovery, spirituality has been well-researched for facilitating successful treatment and recovery outcomes.

It is not uncommon for individuals to be skeptical when discussing existential phenomena. This is especially true when discussing religious topics. However, spirituality and religion are not the same. Therefore, understanding what spirituality is and its lasting value on the addiction recovery process can play a vital role in lasting healing.

WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY?

Many people may be intimidated by spirituality. However, it does not have to be intimidating. Contrary to what one may believe, spirituality is a personal journey that involves striving for deeper connection, meaning, and purpose for existence.

According to the JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS AND HISTORY OF MEDICINE, there are five characteristics of spirituality , which include:

1. Meaning
2. Value
3. Transcendence
4. Connecting (with oneself, others, a higher power, and the environment)
5. Becoming (the growth and progress in life)

The same journal explains that spiritual health, then, "is about the connection with the self (personal dimension), others (social dimension), the nature (the environment) and God (transcendental dimension)." It also mentions that "Spiritual health is essential for many researchers, to the extent that it is seen as one of the key aspects of health."

Religion vs. Spirituality

One valid reason why people are often skeptical about spirituality is that they automatically interlink spirituality with religion. It is essential to understand that while these concepts are not mutually exclusive and can overlap, they can also exist separately.

An article by PLOS ONE explains that spirituality and religion can be defined in multiple ways. One definition explains spirituality as a universal search for meaning. Religion, on the other hand, is defined as:

“a set of beliefs, practices and language that characterises a community that is searching for transcendent meaning in a particular way, generally based upon belief in a deity”

Individuals who consider themselves religious follow pre-set guidelines on developing a deeper relationship with a specific diety. Ultimately, the motivation behind this is to experience eternal freedom or salvation after death.

Spiritual and religious people may follow similar practices, such as prayer and meditation. However, those that consider themselves to be spiritual do not follow a specific set of beliefs or practices in an attempt to achieve salvation. Nearly all individuals will experience some spiritual epiphany that causes them to seek deeper meaning and purpose for their existence.

SPIRITUAL HEALTH AS A DIMENSION OF WELLNESS

In a publication titled "Creating a Healthier Life" by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), wellness is defined by eight dimensions of an individual's life that all work together to complete their overall health and well-being.

The eight dimensions are as follows:

1. Emotional
2. Physical
3. Occupational
4. Intellectual
5. Financial
6. Social
7. Environmental
8. Spiritual

It is essential to recognize that every one of these dimensions is critical for growth and healing. Removing spirituality from overall wellness can be problematic. This would involve denying an individual's desire to develop their sense of meaning and purpose for recovery and life itself.

SPIRITUALITY AND ADDICTION RECOVERY

The value of spirituality for lasting recovery from addiction is multi-faced. In addition to helping individuals find renewed meaning and purpose, spirituality in addiction recovery can:

Encourage Deeper Connection

Ironically enough, two risk factors for SUDs, mental health disorders, and other types of addiction include loneliness and social isolation. Often, substance abuse is perpetuated by isolation and general disconnection. Spirituality can help individuals focus on their healing by encouraging connection with others who have walked in their shoes and those who can provide professional support.

Foster Mindfulness Strategies

Another important aspect of spirituality in addiction recovery is that it fosters mindfulness strategies for individuals working on learning healthier coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety. Many treatment facilities now utilize mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) as they "have been studied as a treatment for an array addictive behaviors, including drinking, smoking, opioid misuse, and use of illicit substances like cocaine and heroin," according to the journal ADDICTION SCIENCE & CLINICAL PRACTICE.

Essentially, mindfulness practices encourage an individual to focus their full attention and awareness on the present moment. In addition to MBIs, there are a variety of mindfulness practices that individuals in recovery can utilize as needed, especially when managing problematic triggers and cravings. Learning to be mindful and still in a fast-paced, chaotic world can help reduce painful addiction symptoms, such as emotional reactivity.

Increase Gratitude and Appreciation

Gratitude is another crucial aspect of spirituality that helps individuals to feel more connected and appreciative of one another. When individuals are actively struggling with substance abuse and other addictive behaviors, gratitude is not a priority. In recovery, learning to increase personal gratitude for oneself, others, and the world around them can be a motivating force for sustaining lasting healing.

Not to be confused with religion, spirituality is a universal search for deeper meaning and purpose. Spirituality has been well-researched as essential for successful addiction treatment and recovery outcomes. The value of spirituality in addiction recovery involves encouraging deeper connection, fostering mindfulness strategies, and increasing gratitude. Next Level Recovery Associates professionals know what it's like to feel isolated and alone. We are dedicated to providing compassionate education and support to clients seeking recovery from substance use disorders and other addictions, including digital addictions. We can help you or a loved one rediscover passion, purpose, and healing in your life. To learn more, call us today at (800) 566-2516.