Spirituality can assist with substance abuse
Ms Madosi, who has 11 years of experience, has been a member of the Wedge Garden’s professional team since January 2007.
It is commonly known that addiction affects the body, mind and emotional state of an addict.
However, the impact on a person’s spirituality and the part that reconfirming one’s spiritual beliefs can play in recovery, are of vital importance too.
In the treatment of addiction, all affected areas are looked into and treated as per agreed upon treatment goals.
According to social worker Ms Violet Madosi, “Spirituality also plays an important role in recovery from addiction and needs to be aligned with traditional treatment tools based on psychological, physical and social needs.”
Ms Madosi, who has 11 years of experience, has been a member of the Wedge Garden’s professional team since January 2007.
The Rand Aid Association-run Whitney Gardens-based treatment centre believes in a holistic approach to addiction recovery, which enables addicts to retake their place in society and lessens the chance of a relapse.
“The importance of spirituality in recovery is that it emphasises the highest capacity of human beings to create meaning and purpose in life. Being involved in active addiction makes an addict lose hope and struggle to find a way out. An addict loses a connection with their God, as per their own understanding. This disconnection causes a failure to live in harmony with universal laws and principles, and causes the addict to lose some important life lessons and values. Because of the void, the addict feels a lack of conscience and disrespects the quality of life,” said Ms Madosi.
In recovering from addiction, the addict needs to strike a balance in all the essential parts of life; physical, emotional, social and spiritual.
“In the spiritual dimension, one needs to engage in self discovery and self knowledge. This will assist the addict to rediscover important values that formed part of their life before. Spirituality is a significant source of healing and a large proportion of people find spirituality to be an important source of meaning and sustenance,” said Ms Madosi.
The benefits of attending to the spiritual self in recovery can be summarised as follows: Spiritual beings are less depressed, less anxious and less suicidal. They have hope for the future. Being part of a faith-based community, participating in spiritual activities or associating with a network of individuals who share similar beliefs increases self-esteem, well-being and a feeling of belonging.
It is less likely that a person will use illicit substances if that religious or spiritual group prohibits it. Connection or closeness to a higher power, or a God of your own understanding, provides a feeling of optimism for the future as well as the strength to resist substance use.
Those who hold religious beliefs tend to have more positive health behaviours, therefore reducing the risks of physical ailments. Meditating also assists in reflection and self discovery.
“Spirituality is an important element of recovery, as it provides a sense of well-being and self sufficiency,” said Ms Madosi.
Wedge Gardens can be reached on 011 430-0320.
You can also like Wedge Gardens on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WedgeGardensTreatmentCentre) or follow them on Twitter @WedgeGardens
