My trust in a higher power that wants me to survive and have love in my life, is what keeps me moving forward.
– Kenny Loggins
Do you believe in God? What about a higher power? If you aren’t a religious person, the idea of a higher power being part of your addiction treatment can make you feel hesitant about moving forward. But the truth is, following a higher power in recovery doesn’t have to be based on traditional or structured religion.
Still, starting rehab can be difficult if you don’t have a firm understanding of what a higher power is. Finding a higher power in addiction recovery takes faith, and having faith in something can take time and patience. Just like addiction treatment, belief in a higher power is a decision you have to make for yourself.
While finding a higher power is your decision, we’re here to help get the process started. By learning about the importance of a higher power in addiction treatment, you’ll be more comfortable about taking the next step in your recovery.
What is a Higher Power?
A lot of people think that a higher power means God. And that’s what it is for many people, but it doesn’t have to be. At its core, a higher power is something that you believe is controlling the universe. It could be nature, the sun or moon, or you can even say the universe, itself. The key is that whatever you choose should be special and mean something personal to you.
In the simplest terms, it’s a power greater than yourself. And finding a higher power can help you in addiction recovery. After all, there’s a reason that the second step in many 12-step programs is believing in a higher power. Following a higher power can help you channel your thoughts towards staying sober.
The Impact of a Higher Power in Recovery
Your addiction has robbed you of much in your life. But putting your faith in a higher power can actually have a positive impact on your recovery and help you regain what you’ve lost. Some of the benefits of following a higher power include:
- Learning to Let Go: Many addiction treatment programs encourage people to let go of the guilt and pain caused by your addiction. Belief in a higher power can help you let go of all of this. With faith in something bigger than yourself, change and forgiveness become easier to accept.
- Realizing You’re Not Alone: For many people struggling with addiction, recovery can feel overwhelming at times. Facing the problem alone can be intimidating. But finding a higher power can give you the strength needed to push forward. With a higher power, you’re never alone.
- Gain a New Purpose: Finding a higher power can lower your chance of relapse. When people become sober, they often need a new healthy focus that will replace their relationship with drugs or alcohol. Creating a new spiritual path with a higher power can be that focus.
Many people say that recovering from an addiction means believing that you can be happy again. But finding that driving motivation can be challenging. Following a higher power can help you realize that you’re capable of building meaningful connections again.
How to Find a Higher Power in Recovery
Whether addiction has created a rift between you and your spirituality, or this is your first time searching for a higher power, recovery is the perfect time to be part of something bigger. Remember that you have control over your spirituality. Just like addiction, no two paths to finding a higher power are the same.
A good place to start is having conversations about what’s meaningful to you. Whether it’s religion or something like the ocean or nature, your higher power is whatever you choose to make it. There’s really only one rule: A higher power in recovery needs to be something that you recognize is stronger and has greater control than you.
It’s normal to not be able to identify your higher power with a name at first. As you build a relationship with your higher power, you can start to feel a sense of inner peace, motivation and purpose within yourself. Your higher power shouldn’t take convincing. It’s something that gives you happiness and peace of mind.
Hope Begins at Silver Maple Recovery
Silver Maple Recovery is a premier drug rehab center in Lorain, Ohio. We know just how important finding a higher power can be for your recovery. In fact, our evidence-based addiction treatments include 12-step programming.
While we offer individualized treatment and an experienced team of local addiction experts, spiritual growth helps drive the quality of our treatment. Our goal is to provide evidence-based treatment and therapies that incorporate a higher power to help you find lasting recovery.
To learn more about our approach to drug rehab in Lorain, Ohio, contact us today. We have a team of caregivers ready to answer your call 24/7.
