Humility: Key to Lasting Sobriety
In the journey of addiction recovery, maintaining personal integrity stands as a cornerstone for genuine transformation and long-lasting sobriety. Personal integrity involves consistently aligning one’s actions, thoughts, and words with deeply held moral values, which is crucial in overcoming addiction’s deceptive nature. This narrative explores the importance of integrity throughout the recovery process, providing insights and strategies to help individuals navigate this pivotal aspect of healing.
Kurtz and Ketcham (1992), in The Spirituality of Imperfection, write that humility accepts the self as imperfect first, and as a result will refrain from “judging others” (p. 195). Humility focuses the self on living with its own shortcomings, which increases tolerance of others. Steps 8 and 9 are referenced by AA members as the “making up” steps of the program. These steps require humility to admit how one has harmed others and ask them now how to set the matter right. Steps 1 through 3 focus on admitting powerlessness over alcohol and reliance on a Higher Power of one’s own understanding.
- In the journey of addiction recovery, maintaining personal integrity stands as a cornerstone for genuine transformation and long-lasting sobriety.
- Begin by setting clear intentions each day to align your actions with your values.
- Recovery isn’t just about abstaining from substances; it’s also an opportunity to reconnect with long-forgotten interests and hobbies.
- Their secret weapon was a practical approach that helped them maintain a sense of perspective, ground them, and prevent their egos from leading them astray.
- Janet has expertise in treating individuals with co-occurring disorders.
- They are in a place where they are not moved or dictated by outside influences, and they are not looking for the answers on the outside, when it’s an inside job.
Step 3 – Humility in Recovery: God and the Higher Power
Maintaining a growth mindset is yet another way to cultivate humility. When we recognize that there is always more to learn and improve on, we’re less likely to get caught up in arrogance or ego-boosting behaviors. By staying open to feedback and willing to learn, we’re more likely to stay humble https://appsychology.com/living-in-a-sober-house/ and grounded in our recovery journey.
There was out-of-my-mind me, incoherently rambling about a variety of topics which I knew nothing about. There was also the pitiful drunk sitting at the bar while sobbing over the somber cards life had dealt. Rob has been with High Watch since 2007 and ensures that individuals in need of assistance can be placed with us immediately. Dr. Williamson received her degree in medicine from Ross Medical School. She completed her residency at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.
Values in Addiction Recovery: Building a Strong Foundation for Lasting…
But remember, true strength lies in authenticity, not in pretense.
Humility and the Twelve Steps
In the context of Step 7 (see below), women in AA often speak of learning to care for themselves, speak for themselves, and of not depending on how others—and men in particular—evaluate them. Each individual’s path to recovery relies on access to effective addiction treatment services and compassionate support. Spirituality is worked into recovery through the 12-step program. The program teaches members to turn to a power greater than themselves to move on from addiction.
Here is how to practice humility in your recovery:
Read the latest addiction news and recovery tips from our blog. This research was supported in parts by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, KO1 AA015137) and the John Templeton Foundation awarded to Dr. Pagano. The NIAAA and the John Templeton Foundation had no further role in study design, data collection and analysis, writing of the report, or decision to submit the paper for publication.
The Importance of Employment Support During Recovery
Want to practice humility in your recovery it starts with you not with anyone else. You are amazing and the only person who needs to know that is you. Someone who actually practices humility rarely feels self-conscious. Humility means taking credit for what you are responsible for and giving credit for what you are not responsible for. Humility means having self-esteem that is stable, being secure in whom you are. Humility means learning from others but not being shaken about who you are due to it.
When we step outside of ourselves and focus on helping others, we gain perspective on our own struggles. It reminds us that we’re not alone in this journey and that we have something valuable to offer, even as we continue to work on ourselves. But when we approach these difficulties with humility, we’re better equipped to handle them.
We can view setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures, and we’re more likely to pick ourselves up and keep moving forward. How many times have you heard someone say, “I can quit anytime I want,” or “I don’t have a problem, I just like to party”? These are classic examples of ego-driven thoughts that can keep individuals trapped in the cycle of addiction. The ego convinces us that we’re in control, even when evidence suggests otherwise. But let’s be real – embracing humility isn’t a walk in the park, especially for those grappling with addiction.
The effectiveness of holistic therapy in addiction treatment
As a guest once, herself, she knows how critical it is to stay in treatment as long as possible to ensure the best possible outcomes for long term recovery. Alice Bemand, Director of Development, is proud to have created the first fund development program in the history of High Watch. Ms. Bemand was brought on board to help develop a capital campaign to build the desperately needed detoxification facility.
The commitment to inspecting negative thought patterns could serve as a safeguard against moments of temptation. As we make serving people the priority, and balance that with caring for ourselves and setting boundaries with others, we will gain power and influence in the best—and healthiest—way possible. Humility allows us to be teachable and helps us to examine ourselves without shame or judgment. AA offers a live stage to study how humility is worn by thousands for another day of sobriety and more freedom from the bondage of self. It has been our intent to emphasize the significance of humility as a cardinal virtue across the 12-Step program and as essential to all its key elements. We have placed this emphasis in the context of a wider theological history of thought as this converged on Bill W.
Crystal Rivera is the Human Resources Manager at High Watch Recovery Center. In 2019, Crystal accomplished earning her Master’s degree in Human Resources Management while being a mother of three. With over 5 years of HR experience, Crystal understands the value of communication, collaboration, and teamwork. Her main objectives as an HR professional are to propel the organization forward, inspire others, and achieve personal growth.
- The journey of addiction and recovery is a rocky and challenging one, and developing humility along the way can make all the difference.
- Integrating small daily practices that promote honesty can help establish a robust framework of integrity.
- This foundational understanding is essential for identifying triggers that can lead to relapse.
- It involves treating oneself kindly and forgiving past mistakes.
- Tami-Jo has worked in the behavioral health field and with individuals in crisis in residential and outpatient settings.
- These are classic examples of ego-driven thoughts that can keep individuals trapped in the cycle of addiction.
The path to recovery, reinforced by integrity, becomes a journey of profound personal growth and self-discovery, making the commitment to integrity one of life’s most rewarding pursuits. In addiction recovery, humility is pivotal, guiding individuals towards acceptance, sober house growth, and healing. It involves acknowledging limitations, embracing vulnerability, and seeking support. Humility’s actions promote self-awareness, accountability, and learning. Strategies for self-management, family support, and community resources foster this journey.
