Anyone who is familiar with the process of treatment and recovery from drug and alcohol addiction knows that as a person recovers, they begin to go on spiritual journey that allows them to evolve into a more thoughtful and spiritual person. There is a reason that God and recovery have such a close relationship: God wants us to be the healthiest we can be.
He wants us to be able to live our lives according to his plan for us, and as such, he will always be there to support us as we strive to be more self aware people who are willing to take whatever steps necessary to live a safe and sober life.
Because recovery is a rebirth or an evolution of sorts, it is always important to take the steps necessary to make sure that growth is at the heart of every decision made in treatment. Here are a few important steps to remember when it comes to growing as a person while in recovery.
Be Willing To Let Go
One thing that many addicts have in common is a certain discomfort around the notion of letting go. Letting go can be scary, especially for a person who has undergone some kind of trauma or who has been the victim of circumstances beyond their control.
Believing that one has some kind of control is a defense mechanism against the possibly difficult circumstances that may arise in any person’s life. This is why many addicts turn to drugs or alcohol: it is a way of tricking themselves into believing that they can control a situation by controlling whether they are under the influence.
By admitting that God has total control, a recovering addict can finally have a better sense of understanding about the things they do have control over: their outlook and whether they make the decision to use. This allows for the serenity that comes with accepting the things they don’t have control over and knowing that because God is in control, everything will work out the way that it is supposed to.
Challenge Old Ideas
A big part of growing is letting go of the beliefs and ideas that are no longer helpful to us. This is sometimes easier said than done, as many of the beliefs that we have long held have been with us since childhood, and maybe even given to us by our parents or other family members.
Beliefs that have been held for a very long time are not so easy to let go of because one can begin to accept them as truth or believe that these thoughts and beliefs are an integral part of who they are as a person.If a belief is harmful or preventing us from growing, it is essential that we be willing to challenge it and perhaps change the way we see the world and ourselves.
Listen to the Ideas and Experiences of Others
One of the best tools that a recovering addict in a faith-based program has available to them is the fellowship of other recovering addicts. Faith-based fellowship provides the chance to exchange spiritual insights and stories, as well as a opportunity to engage in acts of service.
It is very easy to get caught up in one’s own situation or the problems that one is going through, but truly listening to others in one’s own community opens up a chance to gain valuable tools based on the situations that others have gone through. Growing as a person, a Christian, and a recovering addict is truly a community affair.