| There's a saying in the world of addiction. "Getting | | | | of which share a belief that a closer relationship |
| sober is easy. Staying sober is the hard part." | | | | with God can make the difference between |
| Many individuals find that adding a spiritual | | | | continued sobriety and "falling off the wagon". |
| component to their addiction recovery plan is a | | | | That belief in the power of religion and spirituality |
| key to long-term success. | | | | to aid in addiction recovery has support from |
| You can see elements of a spiritual perspective in | | | | those outside the church community, too. The |
| even the most secular efforts to combat | | | | very secular world of scientific research |
| addiction. Take, for instance, the 12-step | | | | recognizes that those who are involved in a |
| programs that originated with Alcoholics | | | | faith-based community and/or who demonstrate |
| Anonymous. A critical part of that 12-step | | | | levels of religious self-identification tend to have |
| recovery journey involves recognizing the | | | | more success in dealing with addiction than others. |
| presence of a "higher power" and its role in helping | | | | The researchers won't venture a guess as to |
| one to beat addiction. | | | | whether that's a matter of divine intervention or |
| AA and other 12-step groups tend, for the most | | | | a byproduct of the increased sense of optimism |
| part, to leave it at that. The religious component | | | | and a belief in life's meaning at play. They will, |
| of coming to terms with one's addiction remains, | | | | however, tell you that addiction recovery seems |
| for the most part, a personal matter. | | | | to be more successful when religion is involved as |
| Nonetheless, there is a quiet nod to the power of | | | | part of the plan. |
| spirituality in recovery. | | | | This is important to consider if you or someone |
| In other situations, that quiet nod is replaced by a | | | | you know is battling an addiction problem. When |
| chorus of "Amen". There are some recovery | | | | one considers the role spirituality might play in |
| programs that are overtly religious in nature. | | | | handling this difficult situation, it may lead them to |
| Norman Askew's ministry, which focuses on | | | | look a little closer at their "higher power's" role in |
| dealing with addiction from a spiritual perspective | | | | assisting in the creation of a better life. |
| is a perfect example. There are many others, all | | | | |