Jul 04 2009
A Higher Power
A higher power. There are many different thoughts on what a higher power is. Some programs for alcoholics and addicts require that they submit their lives to a higher power in order to recover. Many have felt truly blessed in their acquisition of this faith and belief in a higher power.
Why is it so necessary that one attain that belief in a higher power in order to achieve sobriety? Not every method of achieving sobriety includes that submission to a higher power, however. There are actually organizations that are specifically tailored to atheists that do not teach that submission to a higher power and those who have worked that program have also become sober.
Some would claim and for many this may definitely be true, that the higher power is not only necessary for those to end their dependence upon alcohol or drugs, but also for them to attain a life wherein they are at peace with themselves.
Many who have addictions of varying sorts suffer from great amounts of guilt and remorse. They have, despite their greatest efforts, been unable to relieve themselves of the burden of this guilt and remorse and forgive themselves. It is sometimes this particular pain that they struggle with that keeps them turning toward the bottle or the drug. For these individuals, it is often necessary that they learn the method within which they are taught that God has forgiven them for their wrong doing and that God alone will keep them from returning to these bad ways. Sometimes these bad ways are imagined and sometimes they court and family ordained….
There is no doubt that anyone should be able to admit that there is some sort of power greater than themselves, even if it be a natural element of the earth or another person. There is no person who is the most powerful of all truly and for any to be unable to admit any kind of a higher power, shows an inability to be honest with oneself. This in turn leads to internal turmoil that will suck away at the spirit of an individual and keep them in their selfish and self-seeking manner of life.
What is the real problem with addicts and alcoholics? It is this selfish and self-seeking way that they have lived. They have abandoned any true concern for others and continuously did whatever it took to have their own way. Higher power or no higher power, this is a disastrous and hurtful way to live and only through recovery do these individuals have a chance to be less of a burden to society.
