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The subject of faith seems to be coming at me from all directions just lately, not just on ‘Wired In’. This has made me consider faith and practical recovery. I would much prefer the title ‘practical recovery’ to ‘secular recovery’. It has much less of an import that seemingly challenges spiritual or religious recovery.
I happen to believe that if you had a practical recovery community network then it could operate with the option of either ‘spiritual recovery’ or hmm – I suppose I will have to say ‘secular recovery’. ( kind verbally sabotaged myself there).
The most important thing is to believe that there is no bad or inferior recovery. Because my recovery was person-centered and about self-empowerment, It was suggested once that I would always be a ‘Dry Drunk’. Still not totally sure what that’s about!
So what kind of faith is necessary for those in practical recovery?
This is what I came up with. I hope no one finds it challenging to their beliefs, it is not meant to.
Practical faith
Focuses on faith in oneself to develop the necessary qualities and thought processes to achieve recovery. Faith in others in recovery, expressed through our thoughts and actions about living a simple loving and caring life in harmony with others.
No exclusionary theology, and ‘thou shalt nots‘. Just uplifting ideas and shared experiences, focusing on recovery.
And ‘faith without works is dead’ (I am not religious but I do like some bible philosophy)
The care we offer – to ourselves, to each other – not from duty, fear of punishment or loss, or laws and expectations, but from gratitude, awareness, and our desire to help our fellow man, our fellow service users, our fellows in recovery.
To that end we will always be there for them, offering practical and emotional support. It means involving ourselves in each other’s recovery.
Is that OK?
I found it a little difficult to follow your statement, but the part “the care we offer – to ourselves? I dont quite understand, wht I am trying to say is the care offered to each other should be without a doubt not because of laws or duty or in fact fear of punishment, but from our desire to help our fellow man/woman. I am new to this site, I am in families, I have recently lost my beloved son aged only 33.
Hi Ann Marie and welcome.
I am truely sorry for your loss and I am able to empathise with you. I hope that you are getting all of the support that you need.
“the care we offer – to ourselves? Sorry about that I seem to have lost my thread there, ignore that little bit.
That desire to help and encourage those still suffering as well as those in active recovery is what motivates the activists who promote both recovery and service user, family and carer involvment. Its a natural phenomenom that most that have made it into recovery feel. It could be a result of relief from escaping the clutches of addiction coupled with the memory of those that most of us have lost somewhere along the way.
I noticed from your bio that you are motivated to help others by the death of your son. I hope you find the direction that you are seeking. I would say that many have found solace in actively working to improve drug and alcohol treatment services or at least helping to raise public awareness of the problems surrounding drug and alcohol addiction, and maybe also trying to put a human face on it.
Dont worry about what to say when blogging it took me an age to get into it. For now try and get the support you need from reading other folks (possitive blogs). When you need to say something it will come to you.
My best wishes go with you.
