ABSTRACT
Addictions are spiritual diseases long before they are diseases of the body, mind, or emotions. Any model of addiction and recovery that fails to include the spiritual is likely to bring only short term benefit. The addict gradually leaves behind all former relationships in order to focus on the addiction. More severe thought disorders can occur in the alcohol or drug addict as a result of prolonged chemical use. Addictions are diseases of the spirit, in that the human spirit becomes dormant to the point of being nearly dead. A simple contrast between the spirituality of addiction and the spirituality of recovery can be found by spending some time with actively using addicts and also with recovering addicts. In the addict’s life, real people are replaced with caricatures: the boss, the “ball-and-chain” wife, and the drinking buddies. Relationships are valued to the extent that they reinforce the addiction.
