Is spirituality really necessary to remain sober?

Before you break out the torches and pitchforks, hear me out. I grew up with religion, but over time a gap grew between me and my beliefs. I do believe in a moral compass, a sense of right and wrong. But isn’t living your life with a sense of truth and honesty, to yourself and to others, enough?

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Just remember to take a deep breath when you need too, you’ve got everthing you need.

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Like @Oliverjava said…spirituality is different than religion and it’s necessary for a healthy recovery. Feeling like there’s a void and trying to fill it with alcohol and drugs is part of being spiritually unhealthy. There’s something missing. When we get sober and learn to connect with our inner self through meditation, art, nature, etc…we learn to connect with others as well on a deeper level.

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After two months of classes, groups, meetings, etc. I’m fully aware of the difference between the two. I guess I just don’t feel this “Ah-ha” moment of spiritual-awakening that so many go on and on about.

It’s just frustrating to have a countless number of people berate me telling me my sobriety is doomed if I don’t have some moment of spiritual clarification. Like it’s as easy as turning on a light switch.

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I dont think anyone is expecting you to hear a booming voice from the sky or angels singing. But i suspect you had some kind of ah-ha moment that got you here,to even choose sobriety. Some of the “miraculous” moments i have are noticing the beauty in the world that was masked by alcohol. My newfound awareness of mine and others empathy and decency leaves me awestruck.These and the release of anxiety i thought i was stuck with and the general sense of peace are my booming voice,my angels singing. I look at YOUR 50 days as an ah-ha moment. You dont have to look for God,just find yourself. Good luck my friend.

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Are you working through a programme @Baxxx? You mention classes etc,but don’t mention a programme. I find reading the big book and using it for self discovery helps your spiritual connections.

If you read my post from last night titled Big book quote - Higher power I came to the conclusion my moral compass is my higher power living within me, was it a eureka moment? Well I’ve always thought that way, but it has reaffirmed it with stronger faith and I do feel some kind of advancement in my progress. I have been able to complete step 4 now and I do feel different.

I am facing what normally would be temptations or triggers and I am not even interested in the thought of drinking. I was cooking last night and had a bottle of white wine in my hand as it is an ingredient in my risotto, normally I’d have been swigging from the bottle, a few hours later I realised I didn’t even think about it. That’s my higher power at work and by following my moral compass, I am now subconsciously and consciously making the right choices.

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Based on the other responses please dont pull out the pitchforks and tourches :grin:

My Christian faith is my faith not via someone else experience. It is my experience of forgiveness, love and worship as I believe in Christ as my loving Saviour. My daily Bible reading, prayer and being active in my church are the reasons why I am almost 1 yr sober.

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I think whatever works for YOU works for you…but only you can find your combination. Keep seeking and asking questions, keep doing the things that make you strong and proud, reading what inspires and moves you, exercise your body and mind. Having a moral compass is very important. Living your life with integrity, honesty, compassion, empathy, service and kindness… if that isn’t spiritual, I don’t know what is.

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@Baxxx, You have to answer to or for your God, spirituality, higher power, as you see to it or him, for you and your rights or wrongs as you see fit. All though they are all differant they have a very close connection. It is a feeling that you carry in your soul deep inside, that only you can feel for yourself. No one else can Tell you or judge you on this feeling or should they..

And I have to answer to mine as I see it or them for me and my rights or wrongs..

Does that make sence? :hugs::folded_hands::purple_heart:

For my own personal experience I know that someone or something has definitely done so much in my life to help me. I was to defiant to accept it at times but now that I’m actually consciously working on me I can see how there have been things that have happened totally out of my control or anyone else’s that have greatly benefited me in my recovery. It is by no accident that so many things have been lined up to get me to here. Yes I do have a strong belief in Christ being my savior but even if you don’t have that I’m pretty sure if you stop to reflect you can see how things have just happened in such a way as to be almost to coincidental? I’m pretty sure no one here will criticize you for the journey you travel for your sobriety, we will however cheer you on in anyway we can. I do recommend what has worked for me as well as try to share other programs that have support for people. But my recovery may not be the same process as yours. So good luck. And I think all the reflection you are giving to your recovery is a great thing.

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Whatever you feel comfortable with. We all have our own beliefs and gods.

Personally I don’t believe in God with a big G but won’t try to change anyone’s mind who does.

But we are more than a collection of atoms. It’s awesome to think of the size and age of the universe and I wish I could see more of it. It’s truly wondrous.

But we are here. Now. We should be kind to our fellow human beings. Try to do some good in the world. Treat our bodies like the miracle they are as they carry us through life.

I think I am through poisoning myself and wasting the time I have on earth by being drunk all the time. There’s too much to do and see.

If that’s spirituality, that’s fine by me and if it isn’t then it will do for now.

:hugs:

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Short answer: No. You don’t

But I suspect you already knew that and were looking for validation?

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i have met very few people in life that do not know the difference between right and wrong. Many choose to feign ignorance, but they know. Some need religion to formalise the implementation of what they already know. This is good if it helps them be a better person.
For many years pubs were my place of worship and toilet bowl / bushes my confession boxes

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Loved that.

He’s like a cool Jesus.

I think I might have started on a spiritual road without knowing it.

Be the best me I can.

Thanks for sharing

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Great post well but…:purple_heart::hugs::ok_hand:

Definitely not.

I think spirituality can mean many things, so I am not sure it’s a useful term.

I personally dont believe in gods or goddesses or higher powers. I do believe in right and wrong. I dont think ethics or behavior and religion/spirituality have any necessary connection. But if it helps you, hurrah!

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Spirituality is working for me. 15 minutes meditation twice a day or sometimes only one time a day calm my nerves. I also pray at home, which I always done earlier but lost focus when got drunk.

You just have to connect with high power and regain your positive energy from it. Rejuvenated is the word I meant.

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Yes. God has to be part of your recovery in my opinion, He’s gotta actually be the core

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I do think you need spirituality…but spirituality would mean different things to every person. It isn’t a one size fits all. Maybe your spirituality comes from God, or maybe it comes from nature. I know I considering being alone on my paddle board early Sunday morning as my “church”. :slight_smile:

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Ask any person with longterm quality sobriety if they think spirituality plays a role in their recovery.

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