Addiction Treatment Blog by Addiction Experts » Spirituality
Recovery without God
A recent study performed by Harvard University’s McLean Hospital looking into the recovery process concludes that “faith in God positively influences treatment for individuals with psychiatric illness.” While the belief in a God, often euphemized as “Higher Power” in many mental health and addiction recovery communities, is promoted heavily especially in 12-step programs, it is not for everyone and recovery is possible without this approach. I prefer a more personalized approach based on self-empowerment and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Life, Recovery, Spirituality, Substance Abuse
Santa Fe Church uses Controversial Psychedelic Tea
A small religious congregation in Santa Fe has been receiving a lot of recent attention after opening up to NPR about their use of psychedelic tea for gaining spirituality. The official União do Vegetal (translates to “union of the plants”) religion came about in 1961 in the country of Brazil. Since then, it has grown to about 17,000 people. The majority of people in this practice live in Brazil. However, the United States does have a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alcohol and Drugs, Spirituality
God and Recovery
One of the most crucial things I have come to understand in recovery is that alcohol is only a symptom of my disease, not the problem by itself. In fact, alcohol was a solution to my problem for many years. The problem is me: my brain and my thinking. Therefore I need a permanent solution that is bigger than me. I need divine assistance, not to just stop drinking, but to change me at my cellular level. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Addiction, Recovery, Spirituality
Recovery and Circumcision
Recovery through the 12 Steps is a lot like the ancient Biblical practice of circumcision. Circumcision is the surgical removal of flesh (foreskin) from the male penis, having possible origins in ancient Judaism. In the book of Genesis, the Biblical God made a covenant of circumcision with Abraham, and from then on, it became a tradition for all the men of Israel. However, the physical act was intended to represent the inward change of hearts. Either way … Read entire article »
Filed under: Addiction, Life, Recovery, Spirituality, Substance Abuse
Faith in God Shows Potential Improvement of Mental Health Outcomes
Recent research indicates faith in a “Higher Power” could substantially increase the chances of a successful outcome from short-term treatment for psychiatric illness. For this study, a team of researchers followed patients who were under care from a hospital’s behavioral health program in order to investigate the relationship between the patients’ degree of faith in God, or a “Higher Power,” and actual outcomes of treatment. The results of the study can be found in the next issue … Read entire article »
Filed under: Mental Illness, Research, Spirituality
The Saddleback Church Family Launches Petition to Raise Awareness of Mental Health
Pastor Rick Warren and the family at Saddleback Church have made a proactive response to the suicide death of their son Matthew, starting a petition on the church’s website to raise awareness about mental illness. The pastor and his wife have also started a foundation on mental health in their son’s honor, naming it after him. Warren’s 27-year-old son shot himself after a lifelong battle with mental illness and depression. The Saddleback family has taken this … Read entire article »
Filed under: Conditions and Disorders, Latest News, Life, Mental Illness, Spirituality, Treatment
Being Ready, Willing, and Committed to Having My Higher Power Remove My Shortcomings
As of yesterday, I completed my sixth and seventh steps, which state: Step 6. “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” Step 7. “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.” Character defects, which are things like ego, anger, and rationalization, are in all of us, and most of the time living with these defects makes it harder to live a more spiritual life, a life closer to our Higher Power. While working with my … Read entire article »
Filed under: Recovery, Spirituality
Is Treatment for Drug Addiction on the New Pope’s Agenda?
After 2000 years of Papal history, the Catholic Church’s new spiritual leader Pope Francis has become the first pontiff from outside Europe. A humble and studious man, Francis stands as a clear indication that the church is expanding its horizons and potentially opening up to more modern views on the world and its problems. The so-called “drug war” that is now going on in Latin America is one of the world’s biggest problems. Drugs claim millions … Read entire article »
Filed under: Addiction, Alcohol and Drugs, Conditions and Disorders, Latest News, Mental Illness, Recovery, Spirituality, Treatment
Beyond Wonderland: A Sober Experience
At the San Bernardino amphitheater on March 16, 2013, the popular rave event “Beyond Wonderland” went down in full force. Over one hundred electronic artists played from 4pm to 2am in four different arenas. The event first hit scene in 2010 at the San Bernardino Events center, completely selling out tickets to thousands of EDM fans everywhere across the country. I met people from New York to Chicago to Canada. Of course, the main population … Read entire article »
Filed under: Addiction, Alcohol and Drugs, Life, Recovery, Spirituality, Substance Abuse
The Third Step: “In God I Trust”
When I approach the Third Step of the “Twelve Steps” that originated in Alcoholics Anonymous, I see that action must be taken and change must happen. If the second step inspires a new faith for an alcoholic/addict, the third step takes that new faith and asks the alcoholic/addict to adopt that faith and begin to live by it in virtually every aspect of his life. He must literally submit his entire life to God, trusting … Read entire article »
Filed under: Recovery, Spirituality
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