What Self-Discipline Means for Sobriety as One of the Spiritual Principles
An estimated 3 million people die every year from alcohol use. Alcohol is one of the most addictive substances known to man. There are more alcoholics in the world than drug addicts.
Anybody trying to recover from alcohol addiction is facing a tough opponent. The good news is that recovery isn't impossible if you develop the right qualities to fight it, and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can help you.
One of the spiritual principles of AA is self-discipline. What is self-discipline though, and how can it help you? We'll talk about that here.
What Self-Discipline Means for Sobriety as One of the Spiritual Principles
Self-discipline means that you can guide your life in a way that's conducive to sobriety. Living a self-disciplined life isn't limited to not drinking. It means living in a way that reduces your temptation to drink.
Think about what you usually do and what activities trigger your drinking. Try to restructure your day to avoid temptation. Simple things like a fitness routine can help.
Practicing Self-Discipline for Your Everyday Life for Sobriety
The first and most important part of self-discipline is giving your struggles over to a higher power. Nobody beats addiction alone, and you shouldn't try. Trusting God is at the core of the spiritual principles of AA.
Practicing self-discipline means trusting in God to take you where you need to be, even if you're scared or uncertain. Living a sober life means understanding that God and those around you love you and want the best for you.
Living a sober life means recognizing when you've made progress. AA gives out sober anniversary chips, but you can find other ways to celebrate on your own, as long as you don't drink.
How Self-Discipline Helps Through the AA Steps
AA consists of twelve steps that can help you recover. They take self-discipline and self-awareness to the point of discomfort. We must look inside ourselves and confront things we aren't proud of.
We must admit that we've lost control and that we've become someone we don't like. Getting sober requires enough self-discipline to face off against the force that made us this way. We must recognize that we've hurt ourselves and others and that we'll continue to do so if we don't recover.
Facing the Challenges of Sobriety with Self-Discipline
Getting sober is only part of it. Maintaining sobriety after you've completed the steps is also vital. Self-discipline helps with this. You'll have less trouble saying no to alcohol.
The longer you stay away from alcohol, the easier it gets to avoid alcohol. Little victories like this pave the way to sobriety and make a better life possible.
Self-Discipline, Sobriety, and the Spiritual Principles of AA
Self-discipline is one of the key spiritual principles of AA. We cannot confront our addiction and what it has done to us without it.
We've discussed self-discipline and how to nurture it, but there are many other principles you need to cultivate. You can learn more about them and Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole by reading our blog.
If you have trouble getting to AA meetings, online meetings are an option. We encourage you to look into them.