To conclude, it’s not my body – my allergic reaction to alcohol – that’sgoing to take me back to drinking. It’s really not my mind – the mentalobsession – that is the underlying root of what will take me back todrinking. It’s the “spiritual malady”, as manifested by my EGO (selfishness-self-centeredness), that can eventually lead me back to drinking or sometimes even suicide. This spiritual malady, or spiritual disconnection, is the driving force behind our addiction and self-destructive behaviors. Without addressing this spiritual malady, we have absolutely no hope for intrinsic change or recovery.
Do you have to believe in God to work the 12 Steps?
The slings and arrows of experience warped by this need drive us to the fringe, and the voices of the committee in our head keep us there. From the perspective of self-reliance and the individual process, spiritual healing is an inside job. Also, these are just three types of the expansive offerings that we utilize at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab. You should also try to find other people in AA who share your beliefs and struggles; they can provide support and fellowship as well as offer helpful advice. Just remember, even if you don’t share the same beliefs, everyone in AA are united by their shared experience with addiction and their desire to stay sober.
Step 2: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
As we move forward in our understanding of addiction and recovery, let us embrace approaches that address the spiritual malady definition whole person – mind, body, and spirit – offering the best chance for true healing and lasting change. Many in recovery recall wondering to themselves why other people can drink normally or why other people can enjoy life without even needing drugs or alcohol. This feeling of being different or defective compared to others, can feed into feelings of shame and self-pity.
Don’t Let The Lies Speak To You…
There are aspects of alcoholism that are mental, psychological and spiritual, which need to be healed with more than just not drinking. That’s why there are TWELVE Steps, not just the first one. Addicts and alcoholics may rid themselves of their drug or alcohol dependency by completing the Twelve Step process. This will allow them to undergo the required shift in thought that will free them from their addiction. This resistance to anything spiritual is the biggest obstacle some addicts confront.
Understanding the Spiritual Malady in AA and its Impact on Recovery
I struggled with this myself in the early days of my recovery. It was one more thing that Halfway house my disease used to separate me from other folks in the rooms of recovery, another way to feel unique. From May 29–31, 2025, the West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders (WCSAD)—organized by HMP Global, a leader in healthcare events and education—will bring together industry leaders, mental health…
- Without addressing this spiritual malady, we have absolutely no hope for intrinsic change or recovery.
- It is loaded with old ideas and religiosity, tainted by overuse, abuse, and centuries of bad press.
- Step 5 offers us the freedom that comes from being fully known and accepted, making room for genuine healing and spiritual growth.
- One of the more common signs of a spiritual malady is the constant need to control people, outcomes, and situations.
- This is why 12-step organizations believe it is not possible to conquer alcoholism using willpower alone.
It is this notion that the fellowship of AA was founded upon, and how millions of recovered alcoholics equate their success in overcoming a seemingly hopeless situation. The only solution to a spiritual malady is a spiritual awakening. Only once we open the spiritual channels and begin to accept a Higher Power into our lives can we hope to find a solution to our alcoholic condition. In other words, the mental and physical factors of addictive and compulsive behaviors are put into remission AFTER the “spiritual malady” https://sadiqpaper.com/substance-use-amphetamines-medlineplus-medical/ is overcome.