These are questions that I have had to struggle with as an agnostic in AA. The way humans think is on a spectrum of self-centeredness and god-centeredness. When dealing with the disease of alcoholism we are selfish and self-centered beings. We use everything and everyone, even when we stop using alcohol and drugs to cope with these feelings of being unsatisfied and uncomfortable in life.

• Also, they cannot fathom how other people manage to deal with crises in life – even when they have it worse.
• Following this program will cause them to feel less alone or closed off from the messages of life, thus relieving them from the burden of isolation.
• Therefore, they must make an effort to establish a rapport with this higher power.

This is due to the fact that addiction is really a spiritual disorder. Although the disease has biological, behavioral, and psychological roots, treating those aspects, without including the spiritual component,  is like sticking a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It doesn’t https://accountingcoaching.online/50-sobriety-gifts-ideas-effective-substance-abuse/ have to be religious – it can be anything that gives you strength and hope. For some people, nature or the universe might be their Higher Power. One of the great things about AA is that it’s flexible – you can make it work for you, even if you don’t believe in God.

Why is it so dangerous to be self-reliant when suffering from an addiction?

If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the YourFirstStep.org hotline is a confidential and convenient solution. I’m a dedicated advocate for patients, fostering cultural awareness and emphasizing the importance of quality healthcare. My commitment to continuous learning and collaboration Step 1 of Alcoholics Anonymous: What Is Step 1 of AA? makes me an asset to the healthcare community. Once you’ve found something that you can believe in, it’s important to remember that your Higher Power is there for you when you need it. When things get tough, take a moment to pray, meditate, or just sit quietly and think about your Higher Power and what it means to you.

They may start to skip meetings, distance themselves from their support system, and eventually relapse. As we work towards this state of selflessness we find that we are slowly being relieved of the hopeless alcoholic state we once thought we were doomed to be in forever. It is constant maintenance of being spiritually connected with a god of your understanding. Especially being alcoholic more often than not, it is our nature to have that “my way or the highway” mentality.

The Spiritual Illness

Many people say that alcoholics have a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. What can “spiritual malady” possibly mean to someone who doesn’t believe in God? Is the whole idea of someone being spiritually ill acceptable?

A spiritual malady is a deep-seated inner conflict that leads to restlessness, irritability, and discontentment. It is a sense of “otherness” that keeps us from feeling at peace with ourselves and the world around us. Doing so will give you a better idea of how a spiritual malady affects an alcoholic. Even if you don’t believe in God right now, it’s important to keep an open mind. Things may change over time, and you never know when or how your beliefs might evolve. The important thing is that you stay committed to your sobriety and continue working the program – eventually, everything else will fall into place.

The Spiritual Malady

Although the idea of the spiritual malady came to me through reading about Alcoholics Anonymous, I believe it is a concept any person can connect with whether or not they suffer from addiction. Here are some things you can do to work through your spiritual malady even if you don’t believe in God or have an understanding of your higher power. In AA, one of the main goals is to become sober and stay sober. To do this, members must rely on their support system which includes other members, sponsors, and meetings. When people become too self-reliant, they often start to think that they don’t need AA anymore.

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. I want to make clear to members that these thoughts are not definitive treatise on the subjects. Just an attempt to stimulate thought or discussion and provide information based on my study and experience.