The Spiritual Dynamics of Addiction
Posted on October 29, 2012 by Patricia Reynolds-Meade , One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
The Big Book tells us, "When the spiritual malady is overcome, we do straighten out mentally and physically" (p.64)
A Life Coaching viewpoint must include a model of integration that includes both psychology and spirituality to be an effective treatment approach for those of us in recovery. There is a unity of both approaches because they both come from God. To holistically treat the client, life coaching is viewed as a mind, body, spirit connection thus treating the client as a whole. This includes treating the client with a focus on the interrelatedness of thoughts, feelings, and behavior for an all-inclusive embodiment of optimum spiritual and emotional health. It must be realized that there is no specific order in beginning the progression of spiritual growth because we must meet the client where she/he is at. Although, most Life Coaches may think they see lemons; it is time to make lemonade. I am a recovering alcoholic who happens to be a Life Coach.
Addiction is an illness that affects us mentally, physically, and spiritually. We can only recover by having meaning in our lives and by being guided by Someone other than ourselves. It is not so much that spirituality influences treatment outcomes but rather how a person begins to embrace a spiritual life. With this in mind, the Life Coach must address the spiritual needs of their client in recovery.
Addiction is a bio-psycho-social-spiritual disease that is by nature progressive, chronic, and possibly fatal (The Big Book, 2001). It is characterized by its unhealthy manifestations in the biological, psychological, social and spiritual spheres of a person’s life. It is depicted by an increased or reverse tolerance for the substance and a loss of an internal locus of control. Personality traits also play a role. However, most of our personal characteristics may be the result of addiction instead of in addition to the cause of our addiction.
We abuse substances and make it our highest priority regardless of the negative consequences. By doing so, we may avoid forming relationships, create a distorted reality, and are unaware of personal responsibility. One of most negative symptoms of addiction is the way it destroys our spiritual essence. As the substance gains more control of us, we lose our capacity to shape our thoughts, feelings, and behavior without help. “When you tell yourself you can’t do without something or that it’s terrible you have to suffer discomfort or you just can’t help yourself, you’re engaging in an activity called “choosing” As a result of this “choosing”, a spiritual void has developed within us.
The definition of spirituality involved here describes being connected in a significant way to the universe. It encompasses the ability to derive meaning from one’s experiences. It includes the feeling of belonging, the sense of knowing oneself, and understanding one’s values. Spirituality is that life-giving force that sustains our soul. It comes in the form of nourishing one’s spirit through the conscious awareness of self as it relates to others. In order to grasp the spiritual aspect of recovery, there must be a renewed commitment to the nurturing of one’s spirit and a connection to a Higher Power. Recovery returns the most essential characteristics of a person: the self, the ability to connect with others in a fulfilling way, and a spiritual connection.
Recovery has an overarching goal to create a sober lifestyle that is maintained by developing a support system. This support may be concrete or spiritual in nature. For those seeking an unhealthy loss of self in addiction that inhibits their ability to function, they are indulging in an inverted form of worship to self. They become unable to function as they are only creating an intensive pleasure that only resembles spiritual well-being. Whatever gives the illusion of spirituality creates an imbalance in the self. It must be realized that we all desire a sense of spirituality. When we try to experiment with any other form such as alcoholism, we develop a spiritual emptiness. My life coaching response to addiction must be spiritual to be effective and lasting.
In conclusion, addiction is spiritual in nature and must be treated as such. By doing this, we holistically treat the whole person in order to effect treatment outcomes. The ability to maintain sobriety comes with a lot of work for the majority of us. It must be remembered that we progress in recovery by losing spirituality as much as by gaining it. This involves the process of an unknown journey for wholeness which is the change catalyst. It is in this awareness that spirituality becomes essential for the development of a sober lifestyle.
Spirituality in recovery is a lifestyle based on having a healthy attitude and promoting a mindfulness that helps us to find the meaning and sacredness that was lost in our lives. We must be encouraged to live in Truth, be authentic in everything they do and fully participate in our life’s experiences. It also implies that we must trust in a God who gives us loving guidance. When we begin to trust ourselves and others, we begin to make better choices from a safe, sacred place that emphasizes love instead of fear. This spiritual transformation in recovery gives us hope, strength, and a joyous life. The best life coaching approach imaginable can have but modest effects, if at the end of the coaching sessions, the client returns to a life that has no meaning. If we keep God at the center of our life, we will remain at the center of the power we need to live.
People have an inner need for a real and growing relationship with a Higher Power. When this craving is denied, unfulfilled, or unrecognized, there is a search for something else that will fill the need. These inspiring words are a warning, an implied cause, and an answer to addiction and the dynamics of recovery. ”The Big Book of AA says, “When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically” (p.64). In the recovery process, the Life Coach must ask their Higher Power to guide them and the client because he/she is the only One who can grant true change that leads to the knowledge of Truth that sets us free from addiction.
