Getting a Daily Reprieve from Alcohol and Drugs
Addiction isn’t like most other diseases. While other diseases tend to be either physical or psychological, addiction is actually both physical and psychological. It strips a person of his or her physical health, altering the brain’s structure and functioning as well. The cumulative effect is an almost complete transformation. People who become addicted to alcohol or drugs are no longer in control of themselves.
Mind-altering, chemical substances have hijacked their brains, causing them to behave in ways they would never have otherwise. But there are inevitable consequences of their behaviors, many of which they either don’t consider beforehand or don’t care about due to their persistent fixation.
Keep reading to find out more about what a daily reprieve looks like, and how to get started in a program of lasting recovery!
The Many Paths that Lead to Recovery
Fortunately, there are recovery resources available to those in need. In fact, there are many different resources and treatment programs available, which can be mixed and matched in a seemingly infinite number of ways, ensuring that everyone gets his or her needs met.
The reason that there are so many forms of treatment available is that everyone who develops addictions is experiencing different effects from the disease.
For some, the effects are primarily physical while others experience mostly psychological effects. Then there are those who experience the spiritual effects in addition to the others.
Spirituality isn’t a concept that many people would be quick to associate with addiction, but with such a significant part of the U.S. being religious – in fact, it’s estimated that at least 83 percent of all Americans ascribe to the Christian faith – it follows that spirituality and/or faith would be an extremely important component of life for most people who become addicted.
Therefore, the following will offer a concise discussion of the place spirituality has in the addiction recovery process for some people. Additionally, we will be taking a closer look at what’s called a daily reprieve and discuss how it’s related, if at all, to spirituality in recovery.
Spirituality and Finding Recovery
Bill Wilson—the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and the twelve-step method in Ohio in the 1930s—made a number of comments about why it was that people become addicted. During an interview, Wilson said that people became addicted after they had tried, without success, to find God—or a sense of meaning and fulfillment—at the bottom of a bottle rather than from within or from some other less destructive source.
By this, Wilson was essentially saying that people were trying to use alcohol (or drugs) to fill a void that existed in many people. Perhaps the void was the result of loneliness, depression, guilt or shame, or because the individual lacked a sense of accomplishment and validation, or self-worth. In short, the substance abuse began because of some sense of inner emptiness.
Seeking a Higher Power for Support
Although it may not apply to everyone who becomes addicted, it seems that for many people Wilson was correct. A growing number of people are preferring to incorporate their religious beliefs or spirituality into the recovery process. This makes a lot of sense because a person’s spirituality and beliefs, like every other aspect of a person’s existence, is inevitably going to be affected by continuous alcohol or drug abuse.
As chemical substances become an increasingly central part of an addict’s life, the individual spends less time meeting his or her spiritual and religious needs, which results in a spiritual deficit if the individual wasn’t experiencing a lack of spirituality prior to becoming addicted. As such, it makes a lot of sense to incorporate spirituality into the recovery process since lack of spirituality was either the cause of or contributed to the initial problem.
What Exactly is a Daily Reprieve?
Before we can begin discussing “daily reprieve”, it’s important to know the basic definition of the word “reprieve”. According to its definition, a reprieve refers to the delaying, putting off, or prevention of something difficult or destructive for a certain period of time.
As you’ll notice, the word is reminiscent of similar terms like “postpone”, referring to something that you consciously choose to do later rather than right now; however, it should be noted that the task or duty that is to be postponed during a reprieve typically has a negative connotation.
In particular, it suggests that a person has consciously chosen to delay a task that is difficult or destructive, which distinguishes the concept from similar words that involve some type of continuance.
A Daily Reprieve for the Recovering Mind
So what exactly does a reprieve have to do with addiction recovery? Well, we must first understand the general state of mind of someone in recovery is in. To sustain one’s recovery successfully, he or she must remain focused.
Rather than returning home from rehab and simply resuming his or her previous life, the individual must remain conscious and aware of the tools and strategies learned while in rehab.
All of the things that the individual learned in rehab to get sober, he or she must remember and continue using after returning home. It’s only by continuing to use these recovery tools and relapse prevention strategies that the individual is able to remain sober for an extended period of time.
However, this entails a lot of mental energy and concentration. In fact, when you consider the many different components of a successful recovery, it’s even a bit overwhelming. That’s where the daily reprieve comes in.
The Benefits of Segmenting Your Sobriety
The recovering addict’s daily reprieve refers to a brief period an addict should take each and every day to push recovery out of his or her mind. For those who have incorporated a strong spiritual component into their recoveries, this often means taking the time to source strength in recovery from the higher power of one’s understanding and belief. In effect, rather than focusing on the work that’s required to stay sober, the addict appeals to his or her higher power for the strength and assistance to stay sober.
Almost like a more focused form of meditation, this daily reprieve is believed to incrementally reduce the amount of mental strain this puts on someone in recovery. Bit by bit, the daily reprieve helps a person begin deriving the source of his or her sobriety from his or her higher power rather than from continuous focus and concentration. It could be likened to slowly putting one’s recovery on “autopilot”, having to steer less and less on his or her own.
FAQs on What a Daily Reprieve Looks Like
What Are Examples of Daily Reprieves?
When someone is trying to overcome an addiction, it can seem like an insurmountable task. It takes time, dedication, and hard work to break free from the cycle of substance abuse. But no matter how difficult the journey may be, there are still small moments that can help you find respite along the way. Here are just a few examples of daily reprieves that can provide relief in recovery.
Meditation
Meditation is one of the most powerful tools for finding peace in your recovery journey. Taking time each day to sit quietly and reflect on your thoughts can help you become more aware of your feelings and emotions. This awareness will help you better understand why you might be feeling overwhelmed or tempted by drugs or alcohol. With this insight, you can start to take steps towards addressing these issues and finding relief from them.
Praying
Prayer has been used as a form of healing throughout history. Praying not only gives us a connection to something greater than ourselves, but it also helps us develop self-awareness and understanding while providing emotional support at times when we feel alone or overwhelmed by our circumstances. Praying can be done anywhere—in church, at home, or even while out taking a walk—and it doesn’t require any special equipment or knowledge other than silence and contemplation.
Exercise
Exercise is another great way to find daily reprieve in addiction recovery. Working out releases endorphins which act as natural painkillers and boost our moods naturally without any outside substances. Exercise also gives us a sense of accomplishment when we achieve our goals or set new ones for ourselves as we progress with our workouts over time. Additionally, it provides an outlet for stressors that may otherwise lead us back down the path of substance abuse if left unchecked.
Do You Have to Believe in a Higher Power to Stay Sober?
Staying sober is one of the most difficult tasks that anyone can face, and for some people, religion or belief in a higher power can be an important part of their recovery. But what if you don’t believe in a higher power? Does that mean you are doomed to failure? Absolutely not. In fact, there are many ways to stay sober without believing in a higher power. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Finding Other Sources of Support
When it comes to staying sober, support from family, friends, and other members of your community is essential. These people can provide you with love and understanding when times get tough and remind you of why you are on the path to sobriety.
Additionally, there are many support groups available for those who need help staying sober but don’t want to rely on religion. For example, SMART Recovery is an excellent option for those who don’t want to rely on religion while seeking sobriety.
Developing Self-Awareness
While having supportive people around you is important, ultimately it’s up to you to stay sober—which means learning how to recognize your triggers and develop strategies for avoiding them.
Self-awareness is key here; by paying attention to your emotions and behaviors, you can become better equipped to handle situations before they become too overwhelming or lead down the path towards relapse. Additionally, self-care practices like mindfulness meditation can help reduce stress levels and help prevent relapse as well.
Living A Meaningful Life
The idea that life has meaning beyond ourselves—the idea that there is something larger than us out there—is an idea that many people find helpful when trying to stay sober. Whether this “something larger” takes the form of faith in a higher power or something else entirely (such as a connection with nature or service towards others), the point remains the same: finding purpose in life helps keep us focused on our goals instead of our cravings or temptations.
What Exactly is a Higher Power?
A higher power can mean different things to different people depending on their personal and spiritual beliefs. For some, a higher power could be God or any other deity they believe in. For others, it could be something more abstract like Nature or the Universe.
It could even refer to an inner belief system or values that guide them through life. Ultimately, however, it doesn’t matter what form your higher power takes as long as it provides you with the support you need during difficult times.
The Role of Higher Power in Addiction Recovery
Having faith in a higher power can be an incredibly powerful tool for someone recovering from addiction. Acknowledging that there is something greater than ourselves can help us gain perspective on our lives and feel more connected to the world around us. It also gives us access to unlimited strength and comfort when we are feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.
Furthermore, having faith in something greater than ourselves helps us stay focused on our goals while giving us hope for the future. Having faith in a higher power also allows us to practice humility and surrendering control over our lives.
We understand that we are not solely responsible for our successes or failures—we cannot always control everything that happens in life—and this awareness helps build resilience when things don’t go according to plan. Finally, having faith in something greater than ourselves helps us stay grounded in our values and ideals without getting overly caught up in destructive behaviors like substance abuse.
How Can I Find My Higher Power?
Finding your higher power can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding. With these tips as a foundation, take time to explore different paths until one speaks to you most deeply. Remember that there is no “right” or “wrong” way; the only thing that matters is what works best for YOU.
Seek Out Supportive People
The first step in finding your higher power is seeking out supportive people who will listen to your story and guide you on your journey. Having someone who can encourage and inspire you is invaluable when it comes to staying connected and moving forward. They don’t have to be perfect – just people who will accept you exactly as you are and offer unconditional love and support.
Find What Resonates With You
Once you have identified some supportive people in your life, start exploring different philosophies and ideas that resonate with you. Read books, talk to experts, listen to podcasts – whatever helps expand your understanding of the world around you. This will help open up new possibilities for connecting with a higher power. Take time to reflect on what speaks to you most deeply and what resonates with your values and beliefs.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is an essential part of any spiritual practice, particularly when it comes to finding your higher power. Every day, take time to pause and reflect on the things in life that bring joy or peace – even if they seem small or insignificant. Focusing on gratitude can help ground us in the present moment and remind us that we are supported by something bigger than ourselves – our higher power.
Get Help and Get Your Life Back!
If you or someone you love would like a free consultation with one of our recovery coordinators, call Find Addiction Rehabs to discuss your situation, completely confidentially and without obligation.
We’re available day and night, seven days per week, and are always ready to help you or your loved one find a life of health, happiness, and fulfillment that is free of alcohol and addictions.
