There are many reasons why one may avoid going to treatment and getting the addiction help that they often desperately need. One of the reasons that many people stay away is that their views on recovery are skewed. This is especially true when it comes to many people’s religious views on recovery. Many people fear that they must become religious if they are to recover from addiction. This is simply untrue, and many of the world’s religions share the same view that recovery does not need to be religious to be successful.
Addiction as a Physical Disease: Some Medical Views on Recovery
Before discussing the religious views on recovery, it is important to understand the medical views on recovery. The fact of the matter is that addiction is a disease. It is a disease that affects millions of people both in the U.S. and around the world daily. This includes behavioral addictions like gambling and shopping addiction, as well as alcohol use disorder (AUD) and substance use disorder (SUD).
Many people have long been under the misconception that addiction is some type of moral failing or choice. This is even true of the medical views on addiction for a time. However, this is simply untrue. In fact, addiction has more in common with chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer than it does with a moral failing or “choice.” This is proven by the fact that addiction will rarely get better without some type of professional intervention. In fact, it almost always gets worse. This includes the worsening of the symptoms of addiction.
The Physical, Mental, and Emotional Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Now, the physical, mental, and emotional signs and symptoms of addiction are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Not being able to stop once starting drinking or using
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and wellbeing
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Now, many people can still minimize addiction or falsely categorize it as that previously mentioned “choice.” However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. This includes getting psychological help.
Addiction as an Emotional Disease: Some Psychological Views on Recovery
The psychological views on recovery are often that addiction is more about the underlying issues than it is about the physical act of drinking or using. This is why many people say that addiction is a disease that is “more about the thinking than it is about the drinking” (the same can be said about other addictions).
This is why psychology focuses on addressing the underlying issues in an attempt to change the negative way that one views oneself and the world around oneself. This is often done with such psychotherapies as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
These therapies focus on changing the negative cognitions (thoughts) and emotions (feelings) so that one can ultimately change their negative behaviors (actions). Many people in the psychological realm also believe that spirituality can help one in their recovery.
Addiction as a Spiritual Disease: Some Religious Views on Recovery
The religious views on recovery are so important that they are even mentioned in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (most commonly referred to as The Big Book). There is an appendix in the book that is entitled “The Religious View on A.A.”
The appendix states, “’There is something spiritual about an art museum or a symphony, and the Catholic Church approves of our use of them. There is something spiritual about A.A. too, and Catholic participation in it almost invariably results in poor Catholics becoming better Catholics.’ The Episcopal magazine, THE LIVING CHURCH, observes editorially: ‘The basis of the technique of Alcoholics Anonymous is the truly Christian principle that a man cannot help himself except by helping others.’”
Yes, working with other people in recovery can be critical for success. Religion offers one effective way of doing that. However, it should always be noted that being religious is not a requirement for recovery (even the various religions now agree upon that).
Our Views on Addiction and Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, our view on addiction and success is that one should not do it alone. The good news is that with our help, one should never have to.
Recovery is possible. It is time to go out there and get it.
Some people feel that religion and recovery do not mix. This is not the case. Most religious affiliations have positive views on recovery. There are also positive views on recovery from medical, psychological, and holistic communities. The key to recovery is to find the right means, methods, and modalities that work and stick with them. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of mental health disorders, addiction, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
