The Importance of Asking for Help

Today we have another post from our awesome guest contributor, Sam Bowman!

Spirituality and addiction recovery don’t have to go hand-in-hand, but they certainly can. Whether you already consider yourself to be spiritual or you’re grasping for something more that you feel you’ve been missing in your life, tapping into your spirituality, calling on your angels to guide you, and asking for help can be the first crucial steps to recovery from addiction. 

Asking for what you need is really okay, especially if you find that you’re struggling on your road to recovery. No one said you have to do it alone! When you ask for what you need, it’s a form of self-care, which should be a top priority for you as you work to better communicate your thoughts, feelings, and needs through the recovery process. 

So how can you use spirituality to help you get through this season of life? What other help is available to you to allow you to kick your addiction habit for good? 

Healing From a Higher Power

Asking for help doesn’t always have to come in the form of reaching out to a friend, family member, or professional. It can often start with a spiritual willingness from within. If you’re willing to connect with a higher power, it can be an integral part of your healing process. 

Spirituality is considered a form of patient-centered care in the healthcare field, and it’s becoming more widely accepted since patients often respond better to treatment when they have a say in their own well-being. 

When it comes to addiction recovery, spirituality can play a big role in the journey. You don’t necessarily have to be religious in order to be spiritual. Spirituality is about exploring yourself and what life is about. It can include factors like: 

• Realizing your weaknesses and letting go of your pride
• Understanding your own moral compass
• Living more truthfully
• Respecting others
• Respecting yourself

Spirituality can help you throughout the addiction recovery process. You can discover your unique gifts, ask for forgiveness from others (and be willing to forgive yourself, too!), and taking the time to learn from your addiction. 

When you make spirituality a focal point of your recovery process, you can start to practice more self-love. Connect yourself with Aphrodite — the goddess of self-love. It’s easy to look down on yourself or let your own embarrassment or pride get in the way of reaching out to others. But, as you start to learn to love yourself, it becomes easier to understand you don’t have to go through this on your own. 

Rehabilitation and Recovery — You’re Not Alone

Speaking of not being alone, it’s important to understand that addiction recovery isn’t a road you have to walk on your own. Many times, rehabilitation is advised, especially if you’ve struggled with addiction for a long time, or even if you have a genetic predisposition. 

There are many rehab centers and professionals across the country that have the resources and education to help you get back on track. Sometimes, that might require you to stay for several weeks in a controlled environment. Other times, it can be as simple as attending meetings or programs with others on a regular basis. 

You can go the self-help route, as well. But self-help doesn’t mean “by yourself”. If you do choose to walk this journey without professional help, it’s crucial to have a strong support system of family and friends. Support groups and even online social groups can be helpful, too. Having someone to talk to, especially in moments of struggle, makes a big difference.

If you’re ready to kick your addiction for good, open yourself up to spirituality. Call on a higher power to give you the strength you need. That can help you to break down the walls that have been keeping you from asking others for help. When you start to let people in and let them help you, you’ll have a much better chance of finding freedom from your addiction. 

Sam Bowman writes about people, tech, wellness and how they merge. He enjoys getting to utilize the internet for community without actually having to leave his house. In his spare time he likes running, reading, and combining the two in a run to his local bookstore.