Addiction and Spiritual Direction
“We have entered into the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime.”
Big Book of ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84.
Sometimes those coming for spiritual direction are blocked because of addiction. They have filled their “God hole” with another form of the spirit, alcohol of drugs, and it is no longer working. How do we help spiritual friends who need recovery? First of all, as you know, this is a disease, not a moral failing. Denial is a HUGE part of the disease. It is the only disease that tells you that you do not have the disease, so look for subtle hints. This could be a time to suggest the name of a therapist who specializes in addiction or a good friend of theirs who is in a recovery program. A person in recovery will simply tell them their story, what it was like when they were drinking and now what their life is like in a recovery or 12-step program. This is a two-way street. Telling their story keeps them sober as well as possibly helping another. I know of no more powerful act of love than being vulnerable enough to tell someone else your story about how another Spirit has entered your life and made all the different.
Most people have no idea how spiritual 12-step programs are. They are a new way of life, a road less traveled, for statistics say that only about 10% of those in alcohol addiction make it to recovery. Recovery is not just about not drinking but a new way of life, looking and relating to the world with a new pair of glasses.
I remember when I first started going to a 12-step program that I soon believed it would hopeless for me to recover when I was told that the heart of this program was spiritual. I already was a very spiritual person, leading groups, writing articles about faith! However, I soon realized that God was a part of my life, but I was in charge, the pilot, and I gave God the position of co-pilot, being there to help me with my plans. I had been told this in church, of course, since an early age to have God in charge, leading my life, but I had to hear it someplace else to try to change, for you see, I have such good ideas!
Joanna joannaseibert.com