“Resentment is the ‘number one’ offender,” to alcoholics. These words are written in Alcoholics Anonymous, more affectionately referred to as The Big Book. “It destroys more alcoholics than anything else,” the authors explain. “From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick.” Addiction and alcoholism are diseases which affect the mind, the body, and the spirit. Twelve step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous take the stance that “spiritual sickness” is what fuels the desire to abuse drugs and alcohol. Spiritual sickness results in the development of a psychological “obsession of craving” phenomenon as well as a “physical allergy” in which an addict or alcoholic cannot control their drinking or using once they have one. Modern treatment reflects most of these philosophies, which is why most treatment programs offer an integrative appraoch to treatment which confronts mind, body, and spirit. Part of that process includes identifying resenments from the past and letting them go.
The Big Book contineus to describe resentments in life as being a futile and unhappy experience. “It is plain that a life which includs deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness…but with the alcoholic, whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal.” Harboring resenmtnets is a block to spiritual growth, the authors explain. Wihtou spriitual progress, recovery is compromised. Spirituality and spiritual progress give recovery its meaning, which helps create new neural pathways, actively healing the brain. Letting go of resentments is essential in recovery in order to make room for healing. Letting go of resentments is letting go of the past. Letting go of the past is making room for a future grounded in sobriety rather than active addiction.
The way to cope with resenmtnets is to examine them, find forgiveness where forgiveness is due, and ask for forgiveness where forgiveness needs to be asked. The fourth step of the twelve steps is an inventory of resentments which highlight the difference betwen what other people have done to cause resentments and what we hvae done to cause resenmtnes- namely, being resentful. Steps five through nine are actionable moves toward letting go of resentments and making amends where necessary.
You can confront your past while living in the present and preparing for a miraculous future. Recovery holds great promises. If you are ready to recover, Cottonwood Tucson is here to help. Our residenital treatment programs take an integrative approach to treating co-occurring disorders by approaching mind, body, and spirit healing with exceptional clinical care. For information, call us today at (888) 727-0441.
