The Benefits of Involving a Higher Power in Preventing Addiction

Addiction affects people of all ages and social backgrounds, taking loved ones away without much warning. Recovery is possible, however, and involving a higher power may help addicts overcome their vices and make sustainable lifestyle changes that can promote life-long sobriety.

There is a clear spiritual component to addiction recovery, and many individuals use faith-based strategies to help them maintain long-term sobriety. Studies have shown that the belief in a higher power plays a successful role in the recovery process, especially when paired with other support systems such as therapy and 12-step program participation.

The benefits of a higher power in addiction recovery generally revolve around spiritual, emotional and physical well-being, as well as a sense of purpose and direction. With a higher power leading the way, addicts have something to strive for — a life of sobriety — rather than to escape from.

On a spiritual level, belief in a higher power can provide addicts with peace and hope as they attempt to restart their lives. Addiction can be an incredibly isolating experience, but knowing there is an omnipotent being watching out for them can be incredibly comforting during the difficult times of recovery. Trusting in a higher power can also provide addicts with a sense of security in what may be one of the most volatile times in their lives.

Emotionally, belief in a higher power can give addicts an increased sense of self-confidence and self-worth. It can be difficult for recovering addicts to face the mistakes of their past without feeling ashamed or embarrassed, but knowing that a higher power still loves them regardless of their choices can be life-changing. Additionally, connecting with a higher power can help restore balance to life after addiction.

On a physical level, belief in a higher power can inspire addicts to remain abstinent and make healthier lifestyle choices. Having a purpose and knowing there is a greater plan in place than just trying to dull the pain of withdrawals can help recovering addicts stay focused and remain on the path to sobriety.

Finally, involving a higher power in addiction recovery can help to bring some much-needed structure and direction to the individual. Addiction often creates chaos, but prayer and connection through faith can provide addicts with the comfort and support needed in order to focus on practicing positive habits rather than reverting to old triggers or familiar behaviors.

It is important to note that belief in a higher power does not guarantee a successful recovery; each individual experiences addiction and recovery differently. Furthermore, having a higher power on your side does not erase the need for professional help. It is always recommended that recovering addicts consider additional support systems such as therapy, 12-step program involvement, and holistic approaches to supplement any faith-based methods.

Ultimately, involving a higher power in addiction recovery is an individual choice. There is an undeniable spiritual component to overcoming addiction, and belief in something greater can be immensely comforting and empowering. It is important to find an approach to recovery that works for you, and involving a higher power in the journey can provide a much-needed sense of peace, purpose and security.

WHO IS YOUR HIGHER POWER?

A higher power is a being or person that wields a high level of control and authority. It is important to be able to rely on a higher power in cases that are beyond our comprehension. In the process of getting to know how to establish connection with a higher power, we go through various means and methods. Generally, it is at the stage of distress or tribulations, we tend to acknowledge the reality that a higher power exists who possesses the force and instruments to solve the difficult situations we find ourselves in.

There are steps that can be taken to find a form of connection with a higher power which involves taking time to meditate and to find a link with the spiritual realm. It involves a separation from all forms of distraction that can keep the mind engaged. Although, it is quite difficult to find rest of mind with so much turbulence experienced with the mind but the mind is expected to be free and balanced. Also, this in a way can help build a relationship and communication with a higher power.

In addition to this, to discover a higher power, it is important to be open minded. It is expected of people to allow themselves to be subject to the help of people who can help them. One must be able to cultivate the habit of hearing other people’s opinions and view on the predicament experienced and not keep to him or herself. First get the information or the advice and now make a decision whether it would solve the situation or not, but it is imperative to have a mind willing to receive.

Sometimes, through prayers and supplications we tend to know who our higher power is. Prayer involves a spiritual communication with a higher power or being. Although, there might not be a physical response from the higher power but the important thing is that a relationship and a connection is formed with a Supreme Being or force.

Furthermore, in engaging in other activities such as helping and providing service to others, we tend to lessen the burden of attending to our own problems and difficulties. We focus on the problems of others and our worries and anxieties leaves us. This in a way helps to create a form of feeling that we are in connection with a higher power and we feel better for the good deed done.

THE HIGHER POWER’S ROLE IN THE 12-STEP METHOD

A higher power can be said to be an unseen influence which is in control of the entire universe, a power which wields total authority over humans. A good number of people believe in the existence of a higher power. However, not everyone attributes this to God, they simply refer to it as a connection which is shared with all living things.

For recovery, quite a number of people are of the believe that believing in a higher power is one of the fastest ways to recover from an addiction. For instance, people who are hooked on alcohol, have a recovery program which is a set of philosophies containing a set of recovery steps from addiction. It is referred to as the 12-step program. It was meant for alcohol addicts as first, before being adopted by other forms of addiction.

1. Powerless over addiction: Believing in your higher power helps to ensure that you gradually take charge over what you are addicted to.

2. Belief in a power greater than you: The higher power has the capacity to restore sanity in all forms.

3. Decision to surrender your will: Turning your will to the higher power ensures that you are taken care of.

4. Know more about yourself: The higher power helps you to discover more about yourself and how fast you can utilize that to aid your recovery from addiction.

5. Total acknowledgment: With the surrendering to a higher power, you become admitted to yourself and human beings which is the ideal nature of your erroneous doings.

6. Removal of defects: The higher power helps you to ensure that all defects in your character are eliminated.
7. Removal of shortcomings: The higher power also helps to eliminate all your inadequacies.

8. Making amends: With the help of a higher power, it would be easier to amend your ways with people with whom you have had conflicts with in the past.

9. Making direct amends: You would make direct amends except in cases when it would hurt them.

10. Keeping tabs on yourself: You would be able to know if you are deviating from the right path or not.

11. Communication with the higher power: You can do this through prayer and meditation, a regular practice of this would draw you closer to your higher power.

12. Spiritual awakening: With the help of the higher power, you would be more sensitive and practical in evading every form of addiction.

HIGHER POWER ROLE IN ADDICTION

Addiction is a severe problem menacing the minds of people and making them feel they are disconnected from their environment and from people. Although there are spiritual solutions to recovery from addiction, but due to the fact they feel detached from the potency of a higher power, they tend not to rely on such spiritual recovery process.

A higher power is a force or something of influence that is regarded to be controlling the universe and have power that supersedes all humanity. Having a higher power can keep one on the right track and enable a form of life evaluation at different instances either personally or in relation to other individuals. In recovery from addiction, the main aim is to focus the thoughts and imaginations and find a connection and balance that is been craved for.

Addiction in a way robs an individual on a lot of things and actually takes the right to free will from the individual. To be salvaged from the shackles of addiction involves believing in the efficacy of a greater power. Observing nature and all its features which is attributed to the creative skills of a higher power can help an addict find the much needed faith and drive in a bid to recovery. It establishes in the addict’s mind in a form of awareness that he or she is part of something greater than themselves. Confidence and belief overrides depression that exists in the minds of addicts and they can find such confidence in a higher power.

A higher power sometimes may use events or occurrences that that enables the addict realize there is a supernatural being at work and the addict cannot comprehend or have control over such occurrences. As such immediately the addict can come to terms and acknowledge the existence of a higher power influence in his or her recovery process, faith and a belief in something invisible becomes possible. When there is a difficulty to regain a genuine internal connection by an addict, there is a need to focus on the events occurring in the external world to acknowledge the influence of a higher power.

Connection to a Higher Power sometimes may be difficult to trigger by an addict. Addiction prevents addicts from engaging in spirituality to an extent, but they don’t need to find resolution to this problem, all they need to do is to recognize the presence of a Higher power in their predicament.

SURRENDERING CONTROL TO GOD

To surrender, is to place hope and faith on a person or an entity. It is a state of maximum dependence and submission of control to a higher authority or force than oneself. God is a supreme and higher being who has power and authority over nature and to surrender to him totally means depending on him to take control of the affairs of life of the individual seeking help.

A lot of times, people are be faced with one challenge or the other which is beyond their control and power and as such they seek various means to find solutions to their problem. In the process of looking for solutions, they engage themselves in negative acts and such acts have negative consequences. For instance, people suffering from addictions have in a way become lost, because they are living under the wrong influence that whatever they addicted with is the solution to their moment of pain and stress. Unless there is an understanding on the part of people who are in such situations to stop struggling and to depend totally on God, there would be no improvement with their predicament. They need to start yielding to the authority of God who has the power to help them.

Also, in the case of an intense craving to have control over a daunting challenge, there is a need to confess and acknowledge the need for such and this can be achieved by praying to God. In admitting the need to have control over basic issues of life, one can find solace and rest in the efficacy of the power of God. In some cases, fear and anxiety may set in but all needed to be done is to be calm and entrust all hope on God who can influence and control the trials and tribulations faced.

Trusting in God is something that must be done with all sincerity and truth in order to experience total and complete satisfaction and rest. It is a life-long process and not something that occurs for a short period of time even after being helped from the difficult situation.

It is also important to know that it is a choice and not something of compulsion to rely on God. It should emanate out of a free will and intention and not been compelled or forced to place all hope on him. To fully grasp the extent of God’s power and might, it should be done from a personal decision and desire.

SUBMITTING TO A HIGHER POWER

Living in solitude most times comes with an amount of depression and dejection and also pressure on an individual. Trying to control the occurrence of things on the individual’s part may bring little achievement. Having a deeper knowledge that there is higher force or entity that supersedes all humanity, and has the power and control over everything releases the burden of having to take control. Surrendering to such a higher power will free one’s heart and mind.

Submission to a higher power will provide a sense of belonging and will make a person have a feeling of being attached and connected to something. In the process of submission, strength is made available and the power to avoid being lonely. Also, fear and anxiety issues are solved in the process of surrendering to a higher power. There might be questions and doubts in the minds of people under one form of depression or the other and solution and answers to such questions can be derived from submission. It gives direction and brings overwhelming peace to the mind.

To surrender to a higher power does not involve waiting and not taking any step but it actually involves making some particular decisions, that will result into a happy and fulfilling end. In the process of making such decisions, an individual does not struggle with the procedure rather embraces it and sticks to it if he or she truly wants to find the connection being sought for. It also involves keeping the mind open to whatever situation occurs.

To give oneself freely to a cause without ulterior motives is one of the best ways of surrendering to a higher power. When faced with situations that are quite difficult and almost getting to a point of feeling a sense of defeat, instead of finding an escape route probably through substance abuse, one needs to relax and channel the mind to something positive. Majority of the things needed to be submitted are the misconceptions and fallacies of the mind that makes living quite difficult. It is important to be aware that whatever one continually struggles with continues to persistent and as such there is a tendency to keep wallowing in that state of disorder.

Hence, there is a need to find something to rely on instead of trying to resist a challenge that put the mind and the body in bondage. Submission to a power or force can help in overcoming such a challenge.