The renowned American author Denis Waitley famously said, “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” This is symbolic of what healthy recovery is all about – “one day at a time.” One factor that can help in achieving this reality is connecting with a spiritual leader in recovery. While not a requirement, many people find that spirituality is a cornerstone of their recovery.
What Does It Mean to Heal at the Cellular Level?
Healing at the cellular level is all about focusing on every aspect of the capital “S” Self. Often, we just focus on the physical or just the cognitive components of addiction recovery, but this ultimately won’t address the whole issue.
To fully heal at the cellular level means to heal physically, mentally, emotionally, and, yes, spiritually. Healing at the cellular level is also about addressing the underlying issues that contribute to addiction. These underlying issues often have to do with instances of trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Many people don’t realize just how closely linked trauma and addiction are. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Traumatic experiences are associated with substance use and with developing substance use disorders. Violence, abuse, neglect, and family or social conflict are among the traumatic events and circumstances that are linked with the risk of developing a substance use disorder. Children and adolescents who experience trauma are particularly susceptible to developing a substance use disorder later in life.” For some, a focus on spirituality can help to address these underlying issues.
Is Spirituality Required for Cellular-Level Healing?
Many people are under the impression that spirituality is a requirement for recovery. This is simply untrue. This falsehood is a reason why many people avoid seeking recovery in the first place. They are under the false impression that they will have to conform to certain religious or spiritual beliefs. This falls under the many stigmas that are associated with recovery.
Now, that being said, many people who come into recovery with an aversion to spirituality eventually find that they feel better with some sense of spirituality. This is especially true when they realize that spirituality is not the same as being religious. They also appreciate the idea that God can be understood in various ways that help them achieve and maintain sobriety. This is why many people refer to their version of God as a Higher Power of their own understanding. Ultimately, whether spiritual or not, the key is to first begin the actual recovery process.
Healing From Addiction and Mental Illness
Healing from addiction begins when you are willing to accept that there is a problem. It is this acceptance that opens the door to the next step of accepting help from loved ones and professionals. This is often a small window of time. So, it is important to take advantage of it when it is available.
Healing from addiction and mental illness also begins with willingness. This is the willingness to try anything it takes to get sober. This may include detox, different forms of therapy, dietary and lifestyle changes, and working with other people in recovery.
Working with other people in recovery can be critical for avoiding a relapse. This is even discussed in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (also known as the Big Book). The Big Book states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail… You can help when no one else can.” However, before any of this can happen, you first must be able to recognize that there is a problem. You need to be able to spot the signs and symptoms of addiction and mental illness.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction and Mental Illness
Now, the signs and symptoms of addiction and mental illness are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of the signs and symptoms of addiction:
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Not being able to stop once starting to drink or use substances
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Now, yes, many people minimize addiction or falsely categorize it as a “choice.” However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can be deadly. Let’s be honest, no one would willingly choose to live this way – it is a disease! Hence, the “disease model” of addiction. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
Better Understanding Spirituality and Recovery
The reality is that there is evidence that spirituality can be helpful for recovery. According to the peer-reviewed journal Substance Use & Misuse, “Despite the paucity of research in this area, spirituality has been shown to be a significant and independent predictor of recovery and/or improvement in indices of treatment outcome. Levels of spirituality increase between treatment entry and subsequent recovery, and levels of spirituality may be greater in individuals whose recovery is successful compared to those who have relapsed. Length of sobriety has also been positively associated with spirituality, while commitment to a higher power may lessen the severity of relapse episodes.”
Spirituality can also help with something called “recovery capital.” According to the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, “Recovery is characterized as an individual’s striving for overall functioning and wellness across psychological, physical, spiritual, and social domains while maintaining remission from problematic levels of substance use and associated symptoms. Thus, measuring recovery includes not only SUD symptoms, but also the factors that contribute to quality of life, wellness, and functioning facilitative of symptom remission. These factors are defined as recovery capital, or the key personal and social resources individuals can draw upon in their efforts to overcome their SUD.”
This recovery capital can be boosted by a sense of spirituality. This spirituality can lead to a stronger sense of self, a greater sense of purpose, and a more meaningful reason for staying sober. A spiritual leader in recovery can also help with this.
Finding a Spiritual Leader in Recovery
Now, finding a spiritual leader in recovery is a personal journey that should never be rushed. Many people already have spiritual affiliations when they enter recovery, so it is often a more linear path toward finding a spiritual leader in recovery.
Many people also push back against finding a spiritual leader in recovery, and this is okay. However, it is important to stay open to other people’s ideas and not scoff at others’ spiritual paths.
The truth is that many people who choose to incorporate spirituality into their recovery program simply because it was incorporated into the plan soon find themselves aided by the experience. These are the same people who answer “Yes” when it comes to the question, “Are you willing to do anything it takes to get sober?”
Do I Need a Spiritual Leader in Recovery?
Now, the reality is that no one is required to have a spiritual leader in recovery. As long as one is willing to put in the work, they should never feel judged about what type of recovery they are pursuing.
The question you must ask is, “What do I need in order to heal at the cellular level?” If the answer includes a spiritual leader in recovery, then it is time to start seeking one out. However, it is important to keep one’s recovery full and balanced. This includes using the multitude of effective means, methods, and modalities that can help you get and stay sober.
Relying on More Than a Spiritual Leader in Recovery
The iconic American philosopher William James famously said, “It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.” This is the right attitude to have when entering into a program of recovery.
It is this attitude and willingness to take action that is going to pay dividends in the future when looking to maintain long-term sobriety. Yes, a spiritual leader can help with this, but there are also many other steps that one should take and tools that one should use. This is also why the multi-angled approach to recovery is so effective.
A Multi-Angled Approach to Recovery
The multi-angled approach to recovery goes hand-in-hand with healing at the cellular level. This is because it focuses on all of those critical aspects of the Self that are needed to gain a healthy, long-term recovery.
A multi-angled approach pulls from all avenues of treatment. This includes experiential therapies like art therapy and horticulture therapy. It also includes holistic healing methods like acupuncture and massage therapy. Then there are many types of “evidence-based” psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Utilizing Psychotherapy in Recovery
Psychotherapy can be highly effective in treating addiction because it can get to the root/core causes of addiction. But what exactly is psychotherapy? According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) refers to a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Most psychotherapy takes place one-on-one with a licensed mental health professional or with other patients in a group setting. Psychotherapy and medication are the most common forms of mental health treatment.” EMDR can be a particularly beneficial type of psychotherapy because it works relatively quickly and addresses underlying issues like trauma.
According to the peer-reviewed journal The Permanente Journal, “Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an empirically validated psychotherapy approach that medical personnel can employ to treat the sequelae of psychological trauma and other negative life experiences. Its ability to rapidly treat unprocessed memories of these adverse experiences has important implications for the medical community, as they appear to be the foundation for an array of clinical symptoms. Clinical applications of EMDR include a wide variety of psychological problems affecting patients and family members, as well as stress-induced physical disorders and medically unexplained symptoms.” It also pairs well with holistic modalities.
Utilizing Holistic Healing Methods in Recovery
Holistic healing methods are ideal for treating addiction and mental illness (and co-occurring disorders). Holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation have been around for thousands of years. Originally, they were just utilized as spiritual or religious practices, but they have since moved into the realm of recovery. Holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation also offer an array of other benefits. The following are just a few of those benefits:
- Improved breathing
- Better strength and posture
- A greater focus on mindfulness
- Creates empathy
- Connects individuals with new, relatable people
- Acquiring a better sense of self
- Finding a better sense of mental balance and clarity
- Helping one connect with others and heal relationships
- Increased positivity and wellness
- Encourages spirituality
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Can help individuals who struggle with suicidal ideations
As one can see, these benefits are vast and varied. These modalities also work very well with other types of treatment, making them even more valuable to individuals who are seeking a more comprehensive plan of action (“multi-angled”). The key is finding the right types of treatments that work together and sticking to them. This includes 12-Step recovery.
As Spiritual as You Want to Be: 12-Step Recovery
12-Step recovery can be as spiritual or as secular as one wishes it to be. However, the text does state that it is a spiritual program of recovery. However, spirituality in 12-Step recovery does not have to relate to a specific “God.” Many people use the term “G.O.D.” – Good Orderly Direction. It is a way of being spiritual in a more literal way.
12-Step recovery also helps people feed off of each other’s success and spirituality. It is important to remember that recovery is all about the “We,” never the “Me.” The key is to connect with the type of spirituality that works for you and not waver from it.
It is also important not to make anyone else your Higher Power. This can become problematic because people are human and they will make mistakes. If they are the sole source of spirituality, then these failings can leave one feeling deceived and could even lead to a relapse.
Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™
William James also famously said, “Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity, successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon, it becomes a reality. Act, look, and feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results.” This is what healing at the cellular level is all about – taking action and following through.
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This is also how we establish healing at the cellular level.
If you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, then you are ready to take action. Recovery is waiting right here on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. You can do this! We can help.
Many people in recovery discover a sense of spirituality. These people also often come to consider it a cornerstone of their success. It can be helpful to better understand the benefits of spirituality in recovery, as well as how to connect with an effective spiritual leader. This is one way toward healing at the cellular level. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about spirituality in recovery, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™ today at (808) 775-0200.
