Spirituality & Addiction

Artwork (c)2006,www.psychotherapy.net

According to Rev Sam Kuna, Spirituality is a common characteristic of human race.
Webster’s Dictionary defines spirit as strong alcoholic liquor produced by distillation. This suggests the highly intoxicated ones are actually highly spiritual at the same time!! 

Webster also defines spirit as the Divine presence resident in humanity. Inside each of us is a Divine presence waiting to be awakened.

Addiction as a Primary Disease is not caused by anything else. And the addiction causes depression, anti-social behaviour, anxiety and psychotic symptoms.

Addiction as a Secondary Disease is a manifestation of a psychodynamic disturbance. It could be an attempt at self medicating depression, anxiety, personality problems or psychosis or a manifestation of a family pathology.

Proposed formulation: Addiction as both sinfulness and sickness. The word `sin’ was used to denote the act of hurting self (addict) and others (significant others). The disease can make spiritual growth more difficult – yet it makes the need for discipline and discipleship more evident. Treating the disease without treating sin is possible, but sin will manifest itself in another way. It is interesting that those who advocate the concept of addiction as an illness most vigorously advocate spirituality, reliance on God and spiritual growth with the same vigor! All the therapeutic communities in Singapore are faith-based half-way houses. 12 steps programmes have great success related to the spirituality/faith element. Existential approaches deal with emptiness and despair to break the extreme social and human isolation. Cognitive approaches speak about lifestyle change, and commend `religious beliefs’ as helpful to change.

The Spiritual Model of Recovery –

1. Filling the Existential Vacuum

The longing for pleasures of the moment or meaning of life can lead to crime, drugs, alcohol to fill the void.

2. Revitalizing Movements

This is an outpouring of energy, ideology and redirection to fill the void. This new identity offers hope, restores self-worth and meaning in life. History has shown that Religious and Spiritual experiences encourage well being and have proven to be therapeutic.

3. Three elements of Social Movement

a. Ideology

* Admission & confession of past mistakes
* Processing of guilt (it’s a poor motivator)
* Reframing the future based on the present
* Hope for future, freedom from addiction

b. Total Commitment

For any radical change, there must be a dedication to a new standard/pattern.

c. Enthusiasm

Breaks with former associates and befriends with others who become positive peers.
Life is transformed.

4. Finding a Worthwhile Mission

One finds life by losing it in the interests of others! A new sense of relief enables the individual to demonstrate love and concern for others.

The next day after I attended Sam Kuna’s talk, I met a client who has been battling with drug addiction. I have offered him my counseling support and hope I will remember my role as a spiritual counselor: To be patient and show respect for humanity. And to understand my own limitations as well.