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Amidst the complexities of life, the absence of purpose can leave us adrift in a sea of uncertainty and doubt. A https://dev3.demo.developmentsvr.com/noisetteroseproductions/do-you-need-a-license-to-operate-a-sober-house-in-2/ profound existential void, it’s a malady that afflicts our very being, leaving us questioning the meaning of it all. Such moral bankruptcy erodes the foundation of trust and respect within individuals. When dishonesty becomes commonplace, people lose faith in each other, creating a sense of isolation and distrust.

Frequently Asked Questions About The AA Spiritual Malady

Integrated treatment programs offer a combination of medical detox, therapy, and spiritual support to provide comprehensive care for addiction. Enhancing spiritual life on a daily basis encompasses practices like meditation, mindfulness, gratitude, and acts of Oxford House service. Spiritual wellness involves developing a purpose in life and having a clear sense of right and wrong. Connecting to inner and outer worlds and living by one’s values and purpose are also vital. By embracing these steps and principles, we can experience a profound transformation and find peace and purpose in our recovery journey. Spiritual awakening in AA often begins with Step 3, which involves deciding to turn one’s will and life over to a higher power.

What Is the “Spiritual Malady” in AA?

Except unlike burning our house down, we can’t go find a new body to live in if we destroy the one God gave us. So let me say up front that when we talk about the spiritual side of recovery, we’re not talking about religion or rules. This relationship is a vital part of finding serenity and healing,  so let’s take a minute to look at the spiritual side of recovery and then we’ll talk about building what we call a “spiritual inventory”.

Getting It Off Your Chest – When is It Time to Own Up?

We accumulate threat and trauma codes throughout a lifetime that bias the system towards threat and trigger threat physiology easily. When we are under threat, we create a bias towards negative, selfish, aggressive and prejudiced thoughts. When being chased by a tiger it is helpful to think “danger”, react quickly, judge without contemplation, defend and protect one’s self. It is not a time for deep thought, nor bonding and sharing, or you’ll be sharing a meal with the tiger and not in a good way. Threat brings about adaptive physiology and behaviors that prevent sociality and spirituality, but serve us well in a defense.

Examine the victim mentality, blame-shifting, and self-indulgence.

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. Well, if you’ve been in Celebrate Recovery or any 12-step program for a while you know that, for most people who are actively working the steps, over time the mental obsession dissipates. I remember my wife Deb coming home from her first Overeater’s Anonymous meeting. “They told me that I will actually lose my obsession with food.” Then she added, “I don’t believe them!

• The AA Big Book describes a spiritual malady as the inner turmoil, selfishness, and fear that drive addiction.
• What is the “elephant” in the middle of your family’s living room that everyone knows but no one talks about?
• Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
• This doesn’t mean we don’t try to become better people, but this must come from a place of love rather than shame or fear.

While an addict’s spiritual malady triggers a compulsive need to use drugs, other people’s spiritual conflicts may take the form of a gambling problem, anxiety, depression, or eating 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. When left unresolved, a spiritual malady spiritual malady will continue to lead to restlessness, irritability, and discontentment. It can also lead to other problems, such as alcohol abuse or other addictions.

The Missing Science Behind the Cycle

For many folks, including myself, ‘the spiritual’ aspects of recovery can be a challenge. We tend to show up with a truckload of old ideas in this area and a lot of us consider ourselves to be atheists. Perhaps one of the most famous quotes in all 12-Step literature comes from the English philosopher Herbert Spencer.

Narcissists are blind to their own shortcomings, unable to reflect and learn from their mistakes. They resist change and may prefer to live in a distorted reality where their grandiose image remains intact. Narcissism’s corrosive effects extend beyond the individual, wreaking havoc on relationships. Narcissists often struggle to form meaningful connections as their selfishness and lack of empathy hinder true intimacy. They may view others as mere extensions of themselves, disposable when their needs are no longer met.