AA Audio Archives

Just an attempt to stimulate thought or discussion and provide information based on my study and experience. Today I look further at the disease of alcoholism focusing on it as a spiritual malady. Is describing, essentially is referring to a stark void in our lives that we constantly when the spiritual malady is overcome attempt to fill with outside things such as drugs, alcohol, sex, shopping, or anything we can think to try to feel better. It is the emptiness we feel on such a deep level that we turn to self-medication in order to alleviate the sadness and despair that go hand in hand with.

It is not easy to do so but recognizing this aspect of alcoholism forces us to take an honest look in the mirror at our behaviors and attitudes toward life and other people. Regardless of how it manifests itself, a spiritual malady is always rooted in an inner conflict. This inner conflict can be caused by many different https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/what-are-sober-living-homes/ things, such as childhood trauma, unresolved grief, or trauma related to addiction. A spiritual malady can manifest itself in many different ways. For some, it may manifest as a feeling of being disconnected from others or as a sense of emptiness. For others, it may manifest as anger, anxiety, or depression.

A Deep Look into the Spiritual Void

And unless this malady is recognized, and a course of action (the Twelve Steps) is taken to enable God to remove it, the root of our alcoholic illness can lie dormant and burn us when we least expect it. Thankfully, the “spiritual malady” is no longer a “missing piece” of Step One for me. Many people are initially turned off to the idea of the program because they believe it preaches religion and God, and many addicts and alcoholics have no desire to pursue a religious answer. But the beauty of the 12-steps is that they are spiritually based as opposed to religious.

• My troubles are of my own making and arise out my living a life run on self-will.
• Just an attempt to stimulate thought or discussion and provide information based on my study and experience.
• Unlike normal people (whatever that means) alcoholics are unsettled to the core.
• That, we think, is the root of our troubles.” This “SELFISHNESS-self-centeredness” (or the “ego”, as some people refer to it) drives us to respond to life situations with the above “symptoms” as well as disorders and addictions other than alcoholism.
• Spiritually, we have adifficult time connectingto a higher power.
• So, instead of fixating on the parts of the program that don’t work for you, focus on the things that do.

Winner of the prestigious Writers Guild Award and an Emmy nominee, Stuart founded Meditox of Palm Beach in 2002, the first National Outpatient Opiate Detox Program in the United States. He was also the founder and CEO of the Lakehouse Recovery Center, Recovery Advocates Intensive Outpatient Program, and Stonesgate Sober Living. Finally, someone explained to me that those things are not the insanity that the Big Book talks about; nor are those things why the alcoholic’s life becomes unmanageable.

I want to find a Higher Power. How do I do this?

That, we think, is the root of our troubles.” This “SELFISHNESS-self-centeredness” (or the “ego”, as some people refer to it) drives us to respond to life situations with the above “symptoms” as well as disorders and addictions other than alcoholism. Even if you don’t believe in God right now, it’s important to keep an open mind. Things may change over time, and you never know when or how your beliefs might evolve.

• Winner of the prestigious Writers Guild Award and an Emmy nominee, Stuart founded Meditox of Palm Beach in 2002, the first National Outpatient Opiate Detox Program in the United States.
• It has also spawned the further rise of “Big Pharma” and their plethora of pharmaceutical interventions to augment the addict’s plight.
• Remember to keep an open mind and heart, and eventually, you will find something (or someone) who can serve as your own personal higher power.
• Traditionally trained medical doctors are trained to treat diseases.

For example, AA rooms offer fellowship and support and provide a structure that can help keep you sober. These are all positive things that can help you on your journey to recovery, regardless of your beliefs. One of the great things about AA is that it’s flexible – you can make it work for you, even if you don’t believe in God. So, instead of fixating on the parts of the program that don’t work for you, focus on the things that do. Finding a Higher Power is an essential part of Alcoholics Anonymous, but what if you don’t believe in God?