The spiritual principles behind the 12 steps in recovery are designed to give people a foundation for healing and sustained growth in their spiritual journey. These principles are:
Honesty
Hope
Faith
Courage
Integrity
Willingness
Humility
Justice
Discipline
Perseverance
Awareness
Love and Service
As a recovering alcoholic and a drug counselor, I have seen many alcoholics and addicts attempt recovery. Many of the people I work with do not allow these spiritual principles to work in their life. Including some of those who have gone through the 12 steps. I tell my groups that even if they have done the 12 steps - partially or fully, you must incorporate them into your daily life and pray on them. Living the spiritual principles will create the change you want and need for the rest of your life.
These are not only principles of a "step program". They are principles to live a fulfilling life, the way God intended us to be. I have found beyond doubt that these spiritual words behind your actions will also make you happier than you ever dreamed. Happiness does not coexist with Anger, Resentment, Envy and other defects of character. Those are heavy weights on your daily life and you soul. I don't need to be a recovering alcoholic to know that I am happier when I use these spiritual principles in my life. I'm not perfect and I fail in some of these all the time. But through prayer and inventory, I find I can get back on the right path.
Those working a step program should incorporate all of these principles in all of their affairs for true spiritual recovery to take place. They are words to pray on and live by.
Richard Olsen
Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)
St. Charles Hospital
Port Jefferson, NY
stcharleshospital.chsli.org
Thank you.
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