Addiction recovery is one of the most difficult issues a person can encounter. The search for a meaningful recovery often leads to a sense of hopelessness and despair. However, many people suffering from addiction find solace and hope when they turn to a higher power for help.
It’s generally understood in addiction recovery circles that a person’s relationship with a higher power is a key factor in successful recovery. Whether you refer to that power as God, Allah, Spirit, Nature, or something else, it can be a source of comfort and strength when you feel especially helpless in the face of your addiction.
People in recovery report that when they turn to a higher power for help they are overwhelmed with a sense of comfort and hope. It’s like they have a friend who is with them and on their side–a shield of protection from the pain and suffering they’ve experienced. It helps them to break through the despair and hopelessness that have plagued them on their journey to recovery.
No two relationships with a higher power are the same. Everyone experiences their relationship in their own way–some may rely heavily on prayer for comfort and strength, while others prefer to simply take a few moments in nature to commune with their higher power. Ultimately, your relationship will be unique to you.
Many addiction treatment programs and faith-based organizations have found success in encouraging people to engage in a meaningful relationship with a higher power in order to support their recovery. By relying on a higher power you will have the courage to fight through your addiction without relapse. That courage can come from within but having the belief that your recovery is supported by a higher power will give it wings to go the distance.
The process of finding a higher power to help with addiction recovery requires self-reflection and introspection. You’ll need to identify what spiritual beliefs or practices help you feel closest to that power. Setting aside time and space for prayer or meditation can help to open the door to a greater understanding of your relationship with a higher power.
It can also be beneficial to join a support group of like-minded individuals who are in recovery or who share your spiritual beliefs. Attending meetings and having discussions about where you are in your recovery and what you seek from your relationship with a higher power can be a powerful form of feedback and reinforcement.
Reaching out to clergy, religious counselors, and spiritual directors can also be a beneficial way to foster a relationship with your higher power. These resources provide a safe and supportive environment for sharing your struggles and experiences with a higher power. They can also provide a perspective from which you can view your life in relationship to your higher power.
No matter how you go about it, searching for a higher power during addiction recovery is an important first step in finding lasting renewal and healing. Your spiritual journey may take you on a winding path as you begin to recognize and appreciate all the ways in which you’re supported in your recovery. Exploring your relationship with a higher power can lead to a sense of peace and joy that carries you through your moments of darkness and doubt.