The Healing Power of Spirituality for Addictions - Rachel Devine
Addictions afflict millions of people, trapping them in destructive cycles with substances like alcohol, drugs, or behaviors like gambling. Food addiction, specifically in the form of compulsive overeating, binge eating, and eating disorders, is rising rapidly.
The good news is that spirituality and spiritual practices have shown promising benefits for alleviating addictions through connecting to something higher than momentary impulses. Spirituality can help transform your life to one of purpose and freedom from addictions.
The Spiritual Dimension of Addictions
Research has uncovered that addictions often serve to temporarily fill an inner void or provide an escape. As psychology professor Dr. Philip Monroe states, “Addictions start with pain relief but end up causing more pain.” Underneath addictive patterns, there is often spiritual starvation or a longing for purpose and meaning in life.
By nurturing our spiritual needs, we can reduce the risk of harmful addictive behaviors taking root. Spirituality helps satisfy our core human need for inner fulfillment, beyond what any substance or activity can provide.
Inner Child Factor
To go one step deeper, the inner child factor plays a role in addictions. When we don’t get our inner child needs met, we have a a void within as mentioned previously. Some of us fill this void with various addictive substances, including food, drugs, or alcohol. Some fill the void by overworking, gambling or other obsessive behaviors. Filling your own needs with self-love, affirmations, self-care, are all ways to fill the void within with positive energy. This is part of inner child healing. Connecting to your higher power, whom I call God, can also help you fill the inner void.
Benefits of Spiritual Practices
Here are some of the top researched benefits that different spiritual practices offer for healing from addictions:
Meditation and Mindfulness: Meditation helps us connect to inner stillness beneath addictive impulses. One study found that a meditation program reduced alcohol and drug use by 60% in people. Mindfulness also minimizes stress and emotional turmoil that can trigger relapses.
Gratitude: Focusing on blessings counters the scarcity mindsets underlying addiction. People with gratitude journaling practices have been found to be up to 35% less likely to engage in substance abuse. Gratitude practice has a myriad of emotional, as well as physical benefits.
Self-Reflection: Prayer, journaling, or therapy sessions that explore the emotional roots and meaning behind addictions foster self-understanding. This self-insight cultivates compassion and helps align behaviors with values.
Sense of Purpose: Rediscovering a sense of meaning and purpose in life motivates positive change. Volunteer work, acts of service, or exploring passions boost this sense of meaning. One study found that a purpose-centered program successfully prevented alcohol addiction relapse.
Support Groups: 12-step programs and support groups provide a caring community and inspiration to persevere. Feeling understood by others with similar struggles helps mitigate the shame and isolation that feed addictions. Dr. Wayne Dyer, a renowned author of spiritual books said, “The success of 12-step programs lie in the fact that they help one connect to their higher power where there is strength to overcome addictions.”
Continued Commitment to Growth
While spiritual practices cultivate inner fullness and serenity, addictions can be cunning, trying to trick their way back in during moments of weakness. Being committed to personal and spiritual growth, one day at a time, is essential. Continuing on the path of recovery, with some or all of the suggestions will give you strength to overcome the addiction. Remember, there is strength and courage in numbers. 12-step programs is a great fellowship of people who will be supportive.
In closing, the path to overcoming addiction has its ups and downs, but by nurturing our spiritual dimension, we can find the light that guides us through the darkness. This very light brings us through dark times and emerges into the light of hope. Our essential healing waits below the surface of the light, ready to emerge as we open our hearts and connect to life’s deeper meaning.
Rachel Devine is the author of her new inner child book Discover the Power of the Secret Within, along with The Third Road and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, all on Amazon.
Devine Intervention - Inner Healing Center