Addiction is a spiritual disease because it represents an individual’s attempt to disconnect from reality and any sense of spirituality. Simply put, they feel a terrible loneliness at their very soul or center of being. However, this does not mean, necessarily, they’ve abandoned their faith.

More Starting The Journey

It is also the reason why many of us relapse because we cannot stop “obsessing” about drinking and/or using. If a strong recovery is not in place, then this mental obsession will lead to that drink or a drug, and the physical allergy then kicks in. Although spiritual awakenings are often part of the recovery process, obviously they are far from unique to people in recovery.

The Psychology of Christian Spirituality

While the absence of spirituality in no way causes addiction, it is generally accepted that addiction has a spiritual component. Carl Jung viewed addiction as a spiritual malady and addicts as frustrated spiritual seekers. He believed the craving for altered states of consciousness reflected a spiritual thirst for wholeness, and that only those who have a spiritual awakening could successfully overcome addiction.

What are 3 body parts affected by alcohol?

Alternatively, if you feel suicidal, please reach out for support. There are so many skilled, caring, and compassionate people out there ready to help. See this list of worldwide suicide crisis lines for help. The latter variety of grief that is ongoing (for many years), is also known as complicated grief according to psychologists.

Tap into your inner source of power and keep moving forward

• Simply put, they feel a terrible loneliness at their very soul or center of being.
• My intention was to build on that foundation and talk further about the evolutionary molecular and cellular mechanisms that exist in us today and determine whether we are diseased and ill versus healthy and well.
• Fortunately, it was caught early enough that I had a chance to try and manage it with lifestyle changes.
• Perfect for any soul seeker serious about practicing ongoing shadow work and self-love.

I’m talking about anxiety, depression, anger, resentment, bitterness, the whole shebang. It’s a path of healing; of reuniting us with our true Spiritual Nature. We are inherently a spiritual species, and yet, we fill the world with so many aspiritual and anti-spiritual constructs and behaviors.

Overcoming this malady requires an active approach towards developing a sense of purpose through spiritual connection. Spiritual malady can be overcome by cultivating a deep connection with oneself and a higher power. This involves finding meaning and developing practices such as prayer, meditation, or service to others. Spiritual discontent (Pargament et al., 2000) involves anger with God, questioning God’s love, or wondering whether one has been abandoned by God. When these physical, mental, and spiritual components come together, an individual with alcohol use disorder will be rendered powerless to arrest a vicious cycle of obsessions, cravings, and alcohol abuse. While a sense of spiritual emptiness is an experience familiar to many people, it is extremely common for those who struggle with addiction.

You might also like to pore through our article on how to access your inner strength during traumatic times for additional support. Strength and the ability to overcome anything that life throws at you is your Divine right. spiritual malady You have a place inside of you that is imperishable, wise, and flowing with power. Please trust this and know that if you tap into your inner Spiritual Warrior, you will be able to handle anything that comes your way.

• Addressing a spiritual malady is important because it can negatively affect all aspects of one’s life, including relationships, work, and overall well-being.
• But at the same time, it’s also essential to do some Soul-searching and work with yourself on a spiritual level.
• To conclude, it’s not my body – my allergic reaction to alcohol – that’s going to take me back to drinking.

Don’t give up after one or two years, thinking that the grief will never change. Also, please be gentle with yourself, as much as is possible. Go slowly, and if at any time you feel that any of these suggestions are too much too soon, stop immediately and take care of yourself. But as horrible as the Dark Night sounds (and it is), it is a crucial part of the spiritual journey – the journey to reconnect with the loving, wise, and Divine part of us that is our Soul.

For instance, one man narrated how consistently waking up to the same song in his head led him to seek spiritual guidance, leading to a positive transformation in his life. Recognizing and addressing spiritual malady is essential to one’s overall well-being. When we neglect our spiritual health, we are at risk of experiencing emotional and mental distress, which could manifest in the form of addictive or destructive behavior. By addressing spiritual malady, we tap into our inner-self and establish a deeper connection with a higher power, which guides us towards a better life. Journaling is a simple but powerful way to process your grief and get it all out in a physical, tangible form. Try journaling first thing in the morning when your mind is at its freshest (but any time during the day is totally fine).

Types of Spiritual Healing (& What to Be Careful Of)

And—as many of us here in this room know—it’s not long until those desires are running our lives. 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”. In historically Christian countries, such as the United States, this contributes to what has been called “the great dechurching,” as Christian beliefs and practices have become less common over the past several decades.