Recovery is a complex, never-ending, yet fulfilling process. Although it is quite common for many people to focus primarily on physical recovery, this is merely one piece of the puzzle. However, this does not mean that being physically sober is any less important to your recovery. Considering that our brains do not function properly while using drugs or alcohol, it makes perfect sense why physical sobriety is so important.
However, this is only the beginning of achieving life-long recovery. When combined with exercising mental clarity and spiritual healing, maintaining physical sobriety can assure your recovery in a secure way.
Mental Clarity
Once you have gained control of your physical addiction, be sure to congratulate yourself and take pride in this fantastic achievement. Now that you have made it to this milestone, you are ready to handle the psychological aspects that often drive addictions. It may seem daunting to explore thoughts, feelings, and emotions in-depth, but it can also feel empowering. Learning more about your experiences and how your mind operates can allow you to live authentically within your freedom. Letting go and moving forward in your new lifestyle without being blinded by shame or guilt can become a true reality.
Gaining more knowledge about yourself and the role that addiction plays in your life should not be overlooked. Focusing solely on avoidance of engaging in old behaviors while neglecting to focus on working through psychological concerns leaves one extremely vulnerable to relapse. That is why addressing the thoughts, feelings, and events that may have caused the addiction in the first place will allow us to realize that the addictions merely served as escapes for what was really troubling us during that time — and may even continue to trouble us today.
In this way, the value of using substances is diminished because we become deeply aware that they only lead to more issues while also preventing us from further growth. Addressing and working through these uncomfortable circumstances can reveal just how strong, capable, and honorable we truly are, despite what our minds may try to convince us of.
What Is Meant By “Spirit”?
The term “spirit” can be rather confusing for many people due to its various meanings. The most basic way to describe a spirit is as something aside from religion that is a nonphysical, animating force that grants life to all living things. Commonly, it is considered to be the same as that of a soul. However, this is a separate feature from the emotions and thoughts that we constantly experience. In this case, every single one of us has a soul that resides within us until death.
You may find yourself asking, “But what if I do not attend church or am not religious? Does this concept still apply to me?” These questions are completely valid and demonstrate a valuable point. Religious practice does not have to be a part of your spirit or spiritual healing journey. In fact, the 12-Step program is a wonderful example of this idea.
Within the 12-Step program, having some sort of higher power is important to recovery, but this does not have to be God, Buddha, or anything else related to religion. Some may consider their higher power to be the universe, nature, recovery community, and many other things that resonate with them personally. Recognizing and adhering to our spirituality helps us develop our honesty, humility, trust, and compassion for others and ourselves. It also helps us to recognize that we cannot accomplish every difficult situation on our own, nor can we control everything in our lives. Having this mindset challenges us to let go while simultaneously learning to better control our actions in a way that aligns with our newfound values.
They Are All Connected
Much like the title suggests, addressing your physical, mental, and spiritual self is essential for holistic healing. While you cannot address one without addressing another, it does not mean this will be an overwhelming experience, as is often a common fear. After maintaining sobriety and regulating your sleeping and eating patterns, you can slowly begin to introduce therapeutic techniques that allow for mental stability and understanding.
During this time (or whenever you feel ready), you may begin to tend to your spirituality in a way that brings about overall peace and tranquility. Taking care of your body, mental health, and spirituality is crucial to becoming the most authentic, tranquil version of yourself possible, thus ensuring success in your sobriety.
Even though physically you may feel much better while sober, keep in mind that your mind and spirit need just as much attention as your physical body. There are many more aspects that cause and develop addictions than simply the substances themselves. That is why addressing your mental health and spiritual well-being is so important during the recovery process. Having a community of people who support your personal growth and teach you more about these things is incredibly worthwhile. At Renaissance Ranch, we know these layers of recovery may appear intimidating, but we offer non-threatening, welcoming options designed to help you feel safe enough to explore freely within these areas. We offer treatment that follows the 12-Step program while also combining therapeutic techniques, including EMDR and group therapy sessions, to address the mind, body, and spirit for holistic healing and growth. To learn more, call us today at (801) 308-8898.