Daily gratitude and journaling help recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of life, fostering spiritual growth. I end, however, with some words from a doctor who seems to be suggesting that AA works because it makes us more emotionally healthy. I have suggested clearly in previous blogs how I think AA’s 12 recovery programme helps specifically with problems of emotion dysregulation.
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What I am saying is that they do not have the emotion dysregulation or fear based responding that I seem to have which often prompts “sin”. The spiritual malady is the result of my being out of order with my higher power who I choose to call God. I was the director in the drama of life and managing the world so I could get what I thought I needed to feel ok. Fear and resentment dominated my thoughts and I made decisions based on self which caused me harm and harmed others. Community-based organizations often offer support groups tailored to spiritual recovery, providing a network of individuals who understand the challenges and triumphs of the recovery journey. Finding the right support system can make a significant difference in maintaining sobriety and fostering spiritual growth.
- In fact, I felt “more me” when I drank, it was like I escaped a restrictive sense of self to be a more expansive, people loving self.
- This spiritual disease is not a physical ailment but a profound affliction of the spirit, manifesting as a sense of emptiness and disconnection from oneself and the world.
- The list is almost word-for-word identical with one in Howard Clinebell’s“Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic” p 53 of the revised edition of 1968 (the original edition appeared in 1956), the only difference being that Clinebell included grandiosity and compulsiveness.
- When you ask them to describe what they mean by that statement, they seem to have a firm grasp on the fact that we alcoholics suffer from “an allergy of the body and an obsession of the mind” — that once I put any alcohol in my system whatsoever it sets off a craving for more alcohol.
- I believe my so-called defects of character are linked to my underlying emotional disorder of alcoholism.
- The sense of loneliness and isolation that comes with spiritual disconnection can exacerbate these challenges, making it even harder for us to maintain healthy relationships and find true solace.
- Detox specialists can provide guidance on the best treatment options, ensuring that both physical and spiritual aspects of addiction are addressed.
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This deep-seated sense of disconnection and unrest drives the cycle of addiction and self-destructive behaviors. By addressing this spiritual disease through connection with a higher power, the 12 Steps, and professional help, individuals can find a path to lasting sobriety and holistic healing. Addiction and self-destructive behaviors, including drug addiction, are frequently driven by a spiritual malady, intensifying the recovery struggle for individuals. This internal battle can make the path to healing and heroin addiction change even more challenging. This spiritual disconnection often results in emotional and mental turmoil, exacerbating the compulsion to use alcohol or drugs.
Practice Makes Perfect
This spiritual disease affects every aspect of our lives, leading to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and despair. It is this spiritual emptiness that we often try to escape from through alcohol and other addictive behaviors, which can also make us physically ill. Through closely examining our Big Book, along with much experience and practice with our Twelve Steps, as well as vigorous work with other alcoholics, the “missing piece” of Step 1 appears to be what is referred to on page 64 as the “spiritual malady.” That, we think, is the root of our troubles.” This “SELFISHNESS-self-centeredness” (or the “ego”, as some people refer to it) drives us to respond to life situations with the above “symptoms” as well as disorders and addictions other than alcoholism. I would suggest in relation to the issue of co-morbidities that one try to deal with these alcoholism related issues and then see if there are any other to deal with afterwards. For me, as someone who has been treated for anxiety and depression prior to recovery the 12 steps appear to have treated these as emotional consequences of my underlying condition of emotion dysregulation which I call spiritual malady aa big book alcoholism.
Alcoholics and children of alcoholics have a tendency to avoid emotions (use avoidant coping strategies) in fact and to use emotional reasoning when arguing a point. If you are suffering from symptoms of the spiritual malady, use these clarifying questions to ascertain where the problem lies. If you are a ‘real’ alcoholic or addict and if only a ‘spiritual experience’ will conquer your affliction, then is not important to know what a spiritual experience is, how to achieve it, and and most importantly, how to recognize it when you have it. Adam Vibe Gunton is an American author, speaker and thought leader in addiction treatment and recovery. After overcoming homelessness and drug addiction, Adam found his life’s purpose in helping addicts find the same freedom he found.