Everyone may have their own definition of what spirituality means to them, but there’s one thing that most people have in common: Spirituality brings about feelings of hope, love, connectedness and strength. Dr. Elizabeth Hartney, a psychologist, and professor, told Very Well Mind – a website that publishes information related to disorders, self-improvement and more – that spirituality can incorporate a lot of different things, depending on the person:
- Getting in touch with a person’s “moral compass”
- Learning to apply a person’s values to live the life they’ve always wanted
- Respecting oneself and others
- Gaining perspective on a variety of problems
- Recognizing that as human beings, we all have weaknesses
- Receiving and providing support to other people
- And more
While some may question spirituality’s role in addiction recovery, the evidence is clear. Many people who’ve battled alcoholism, drug addiction as well as many other forms of addiction have felt isolated, hopeless, depressed, lost, etc. Spirituality addresses these types of very real human concerns in a loving way. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Religion and Health assessed responses from several long-term A.A. members (members of Alcoholics Anonymous, a 12-Step program) to explore the role of spirituality in addiction recovery. Researchers found that feeling God’s presence daily, believing in a Higher Power as a universal spirit and serving as an A.A. sponsor were all linked to positive outcomes – and it makes sense because all of these and more can only bring us closer to living a happier, healthier life.
If you’re ready to feel less alone, less scared and less worried about living a life that brings you brings you greater peace and happiness, speak with a professional from Cumberland Heights today.
Cumberland Heights is a nonprofit alcohol and drug addiction treatment center located on the banks of the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee. On a sprawling 177-acre campus, we are made up of two 12-Step immersion campuses, 12 outpatient recovery centers and 4 sober living homes. We believe that each person has a unique story to tell – and that’s why we always put the patient first. For more information, call 1-800-646-9998 today.
