Religion and Spirituality in Recovery

How Religion and Spirituality Can Improve Recovery

Estimated watch time: 2 mins 05 secs

Summary:

For many people in recovery and those working toward developing resilience, spirituality and religion can play an important role. Both are valuable to your mental and physical health as well. Find ways to develop a practice on your terms. This module explores questions you can use as you develop your personal path.

Video Materials:

Transcript:

Religion & Spirituality

Religion is defined as a personal set or institutionalized system of attitudes, beliefs and practices. It is the service and worship of God or the supernatural.

Spirituality is an experience of connection to something larger than you. It is about living one’s life in a reverent or sacred manner. It is a way of experiencing one’s connection to self and others.

Both religion and spirituality help build resilience and improve physical and mental health. For religious people, regularly attending religious worship tends to build a sense of optimism and meaning. This also creates a sense of community and tends to guard people against acting in more self-destructive ways. There is a sense of feeling protected and guided. Spiritual practices can have the same impact.

Many find the practice of prayer or meditation helps to quiet or calm the mind which can lead to less emotional reactivity during tough times.

There are many ways to develop a religious or spiritual connection if you desire to do so.

  • You may decide you want to find a place of worship to attend or simply read books or writings about religion.
  • You may decide to do a daily prayer or meditation practice.
  • You might develop a more physical practice of spirituality such as yoga, taking mindful walks, tai chi or a martial art.
  • You may decide to join a group that worships or practices spiritual principles together.

What is important is that you choose something that you feel works for you. There is no “right” answer about religion or spirituality. You can build your resilience by choosing your own path.

Questions:

  1. Do you have a religious or spiritual practice?
  2. Would you like to develop one or become more deeply involved in what you already have?
  3. Which of the above ideas on how to develop a religious/spiritual connection might work for you?
  4. How can you get started?

Other Addiction & Mental Health Resources

The Recovery Village has several, free resources for those living with addiction or mental health conditions and their loved ones. From videos, to clinically-hosted webinars and recovery meetings, to helpful, medically-reviewed articles, there is something for everyone. If you need more direct help, please reach out to one of our representatives.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.