Many people get concerned when they hear that recovery has components of spirituality to it. After all, isn’t recovery just about getting sober? Yes, sobriety is the key component of recovery. But many people feel that to recover, one fully needs to go beyond just putting down the drink or the drug and do more work. For many people, this means seeking a “spiritual experience.”
Understanding Spirituality in Recovery
Many people conflate spirituality and religion in recovery. This is a fallacy, as the two do not mean the same thing. In recovery, spirituality can mean any aspect of faith that helps to keep one sober. It does not have to be religious (though some people choose to bring their religion into their spirituality in recovery).
There is a reason why the term “Higher Power of one’s understanding” is often used in place of “God” in recovery. This is because a Higher Power concept is more open to interpretation, and for many, the term God has negative connotations. Ultimately, the key is to choose what works best for the individual and move on from there. For many, that process of moving on means moving toward a spiritual experience.
What Is a “Spiritual Experience” in Recovery?
The primary text of 12-Step recovery (often referred to as the Big Book) actually has an appendix entitled “Spiritual Experience.” The appendix discusses how many people have spiritual experiences in recovery, and they can come in all shapes and sizes.
Some people have spiritual experiences that come to them as “white light” moments, and others have what is called “educational variety” spiritual experiences, which simply mean that they happen to people over time.
The “Spiritual Experience” states “We find that no one need have difficulty with the spirituality of the program. Willingness, honesty, and open-mindedness are the essentials of recovery. But these are indispensable.” So, it is not so much about having a spiritual experience; it is about being open to new possibilities.
Do I Need to Have a “Spiritual Experience” to Fully Recover?
It is important to remember that there are no rules in recovery except to avoid drinks or drugs. From there, one’s recovery is their own. This includes if someone wishes to seek a spiritual experience or not.
However, it is important to note that being willing in recovery is a critical part of long-term success. After all, why not try all that there is to remain successful in recovery? Anything that one can do to avoid relapse is a great move.
So, what happens if one is seeking a spiritual experience but they don’t have one? Therein lies the paradox. The seeking is often the spiritual experience because the seeking is what keeps one sober, and, for many, it is simply staying sober that once seemed an impossible task. Essentially, the “miracle” of recovery has come true right under one’s nose.
Embracing Spirituality to Fully Recover
Now, the key to recovery is simply taking the next right step. For many, those steps head in a spiritual direction. When one embraces spirituality in recovery, they open themselves up to a whole host of new experiences.
If anything, embracing spirituality opens individuals up to new benefits in recovery. For example, many people find their spirituality via meditation, and meditation offers many side benefits that can greatly help one’s recovery.
The benefits of meditation are vast and varied. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), “During the process of meditation, accumulated stresses are removed, energy is increased, and health is positively affected overall. Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency.”
Taking One’s Own Path to Fully Recover
Following one’s path is the key to spirituality and spiritual experiences in recovery. There are countless paths toward spirituality in recovery, all one needs to do is make a choice of which path to go down.
In fact, most people will not simply go down one path and instead take many on their recovery journey. That is the beauty of living a sober life. There are endless opportunities for growth and success.
Long-Term Success With Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why we always focus on individualized and comprehensive recovery plans.
The road to recovery is one of the best roads one may ever go down, and sometimes that road gets rocky. This is where spirituality can come and smooth those rocks out. Do you have to have a spiritual experience? No, of course not. But stick around long enough, and there’s a good chance you’ll have one anyway.
Many people have a spiritual experience in recovery. Some of them even have what are called “white light” experiences. However, this is not the case with everyone, and that is okay. Some people have an experience that is referred to as the “educational variety.” It is important to remember that one can experience a “spiritual” or “psychic” shift in recovery without having what might be considered a “traditional” spiritual experience. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, we can help get you on the positive path toward recovery. For more information about spirituality and sobriety, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
