“A.A.’s Twelves Steps are a group of principles, spiritual in their nature, which, if practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole.” –  Foreword Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

Much research has been done on the curative power of spirituality. Studies have shown that having an active spiritual life can improve overall mental health[1]. So it is no surprise that spirituality and spiritual principles play a big part in recovery from addiction[2]. When applied on a day by day basis, spiritual principles can help transform someone suffering from alcoholism and depression into a sober, useful person, and be HAPPY about it.

But what does it mean to apply spiritual principles or to “practice them as a way of life”? Often the terms Spirituality and Religion get mixed up. When that happens “practicing religion” becomes attending church, synagogue, or mosque at the appointed time of week with likeminded people, then going about your business the rest of the week. But practicing spiritual principles as a way of life is different. Applying spirituality means making principles your business throughout the week.

How Can Spirituality Help Maintain a Sober Life?

In the 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous each Step is based on a spiritual principle. Through the Steps we learn how to practice these spiritual principles and apply them in our lives on a daily basis. When we do this the fixation on alcohol and drugs goes away. We no longer need them to change the way we feel, because we are doing that through spiritual principles. Which is a much healthier way to feel feelings!

The spiritual principles taught as a way of life in the 12 Steps include, but are not limited to: Honesty, Hope, Faith, Courage, Integrity, Patience & Willingness, Humility, Love, Responsibility, Perseverance & Discipline, Awareness & Mindfulness, and Service.

Most alcoholics and addicts may know the meanings of these words but have a hard time practicing them on a daily basis. They may be honest about one thing, but dishonest about another, even in the same sentence! Often people struggling with addiction feel they have no hope, their faith has failed them, or they are unworthy of love. That is why it is so important to learn and apply these principles with a sober support group and aligned with a Higher Power, whatever you conceived that to be. With the help of other people who are practicing spiritual principles we can bounce ideas, take suggestions, and compare our actions to what our Higher Power would want.

What Are the Ways to Apply Spiritual Principals?

Applying these spiritual principles means actively putting them into practice. Which can be hard at first! Being honest with ourselves and others can be scary. We might need courage to tell the truth. Humility is often looked down on in the cut throat culture we find ourselves in. But something happens when we practice being courageous. When we are scared to admit the truth, to tell on ourselves, we may need a little boost from something outside of ourselves. We can ask God for courage then tell the truth. When we practice spiritual principles in this way we see how we can overcome fear. Our lies and dishonesty don’t burden us anymore. We don’t have to keep track of all the dishonesties and stories we’ve told. We are free to focus on other things! We gain resilience, energy, and self-esteem.

Applying spiritual principles in this way is simple, but not easy. At least at first. Just like any other skill, like tying shoes, or playing a musical instrument, or learning a golf swing, the more you practice it the better you get. And eventually you don’t even need to think about it. You just do it! Once an addict or alcoholic gets to this point they are very likely well on their way through the 12 Steps and the obsession to drink and use drugs has been lifted.

Practicing spiritual principles is not just a theory or something that can be read and learned about to work. It has to be actively practiced in daily life, sometimes moment by moment. But if applied and persisted with it has the power to transform the addicted into the thriving.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, we can help you!  Please contact Bay Area Recovery Center today, and start your journey to spirituality and soberness.

[1] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19349637.2011.616080

[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740547200001252