The Spiritual Principles of Recovery is a guide to fulfillment and strength in recovery that follows the original 12 steps of 12-step recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Gamblers Anonymous, and so on further correspond. These principles are designed as a path for those seeking spiritual growth and personal improvement as they navigate addiction healing. Addiction healing in a 12-step recovery program requires honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness.
The recovery process, as taught by groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, is an ongoing way of life because addiction is a disease that has no cure. According to 12-step programs, the way to manage your addiction as a disease is to follow the guidelines and wisdom passed down by other alcoholics and addicts who are successfully maintaining their sobriety. Most importantly, AA’s 12 Steps believe that you will be just as successful in recovery as you emulate the determination, persistence, and unyielding dedication of those who thrived before you in the 12-Step Model.
What are the 12 Spiritual Principles?
Spiritual Principles of Recovery are guiding principles to heal us from within and teach us the meaning of things like: have patience and gratitude. People in recovery can apply these principles with ease, as they often need to remind themselves that their purpose as addicts and alcoholics is not just to stay away from drugs and alcohol, but to improve themselves. Applying the 12 Spiritual Principles of Recovery and following the 12 Steps and guidance of another alcoholic or addict who has been able to establish and maintain a sober lifestyle is the path to recovery.
The 12 spiritual principles of recovery are as follows: Acceptance, Hope, Faith, Courage, Honesty, Patience, Humility, Willingness, Brotherly Love, Integrity, Self-Discipline, and Service.
The following are the spiritual principles listed in recovery, organized by the appropriate step:
- Step 1: Acceptance
- Step 2: Hope
- Step 3: Faith
- Step 4: Courage
- Step 5: Honesty
- Step 6: Patience
- Step 7: Humility
- Step 8: Preparedness
- Step 9: Brotherly Love
- Step 10: Integrity
- Step 11: Self Discipline
- Step 12: Serve
During As they work through the 12 steps, individuals should apply each principle and take the time to reflect on the meaning behind the practice and how it can improve their lives in recovery. In addition, 12-Step support groups often engage in mantras or prayers that align their goals and aspirations with sobriety and help them cope with the stressors of daily life.
The Spiritual Principles of the 12 Steps practice
Whether you belong to a monotheistic religion like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, a non-theistic religion like Buddhism or Taoism, or even adhere to an agnostic or atheistic mindset, spirituality is an integral part of your recovery experience .
Yet, most people find it difficult to prioritize their spiritual health, and their attention easily strays from spiritual nurturing as life’s distractions take up their time.
If you struggle with your spiritual well-being, here are 12 ways you can practice the spiritual principles of recovery every day p practice:
Acceptance in Recovery
Many times throughout the day things can’t go as planned. Practice acceptance if you just missed the bus to work or ran out of coffee at the office. Acceptance is by far one of the most useful principles to practice.
Hope for Change
Hope can come to you in any time of need, distress or dissatisfaction. Sit quietly for a few minutes and express your hope that things will go as they should. When things aren’t working out, hope you’re doing fine either way.
Believe in a Higher Power
Practicing faith can look like praying, meditating, talking to your Higher Power power etc. Putting hope in a power greater than yourself is faith.
Courage to move on
Be brave by standing up for what you believe in today, whether you’re doing a boundary or telling your boss about an idea you have. Practicing courage can be scary, but it’s also rewarding.
Honesty in Relationships
Practicing honesty is pretty easy. Practice honesty today by not lying, covering up the truth without sugarcoating or omitting anything. Were you five minutes late for work? Admit it. Do you really like your boyfriend’s outfit? tell them the truth Honestly, honesty gets easier the more you practice it.
Patience for others
Instead of honking the car horn in front of you; take a deep, deep breath and exhale. Be patient.
Humility instead of stubbornness
Instead of arguing about whether you’re right (even when you know you’re wrong), practice humility by apologizing for your mistakes. It may feel like defeat, but afterwards you will feel good about yourself and how you treat others.
Readiness for change
Practice willingness by saying yes to this after-work Say yoga class with your colleague. We’re often quick to say we want something—but we’re not willing to make changes to get that thing. Practice willingness by showing that you will do something for the positive results!
Brotherly love for strangers
Exercising brotherly love can be as simple as showing your neighbor wearing the shopping bags to help . Practice brotherly love by doing anything to hold someone’s door or support someone in need.
Integrity in life
Integrity is honesty with strong morals. Practice integrity by not compromising your values in any situation today. Did the cashier accidentally give you an extra $10? Practice integrity by speaking up. Does your co-worker ask you to stay 20 minutes longer on your lunch break? Say no because you should only make decisions that reflect your personal values.
Self-Discipline as Relapse Prevention
Practice self-discipline by being a good person when no one is looking. Had a long day at work and want to cancel plans with sober support so you can spend the night on the couch? Have the discipline to do what is right for you and your recovery, no matter what you feel like doing. Do you have the opportunity to laze around at work because your boss is away for the day? Practice self-discipline by getting the work done regardless of who is there to oversee you.
Serve to give back
Service is one of the spiritual principles of the Recovery, which many people in recovery cite as the principle that keeps them sober. You can practice ministry by speaking to someone who is struggling, or helping your old neighborhood sort through their pictures, giving advice to someone who is having a hard time, etc. Ministry in AA or NA can be accomplished by the chairs can be set up for a meeting, make coffee or help with tidying up. You can also go old school and do community service to show your gratitude for the city you live in. Opportunities for service are everywhere!
Finding Spiritual Growth in 12-Step Programs
There are many spiritual principles of recovery, and among other things, they all promote being someone of integrity . These spiritual principles correspond to each of the 12 steps of AA and NA, and programs that use the 12-step model encourage you to practice these principles in all your affairs. In doing so, the spiritual principles will help you not only to stay away from alcohol or drugs, but to become a better person.
A big part of recovery is personal growth. Working on a 12-step recovery program can help with that growth! Becoming a better person starts with self-awareness. Self-awareness begins with remembering your goals, what you want to achieve, and who you want to be. So when we practice these spiritual principles, we transform ourselves into the best versions of ourselves as a result. Therefore, if we follow the 12-step model and share the messages of well-being that have helped other alcoholics maintain their sobriety, we will we too keep our sobriety. In fact, the final step speaks to a spiritual awakening!
Heal your mind at Royal Life Centers
Substance use disorder is progressive but can be treated with a holistic approach that treats the body , Mind and soul. Similarly, addiction treatment at Royal Life Centers includes a wide range of treatment programs that guide our guests through programs focused on whole-body healing. For example, we teach our guests how to practice spiritual principles, take care of their mental health, and participate in support groups.
Additionally, in all of our treatments, we encourage people to live lives guided by Guided by the spiritual principles of recovery options at Royal Life Centers. In fact, our intensive therapy is combined with an introduction to the 12-step model of recovery to support you on your journey to spiritual growth and overall well-being in recovery.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us Contact our addiction specialists at (877)-RECOVERY or (877)-732-6837. Our team is available 24/7 to take your calls. Because we care.
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