Spiritual Recovery Comes First
When the Spiritual Malady Is Overcome, We Straighten Out Mentally and Physically
In any journey of recovery, there’s a recurring truth: spiritual recovery comes first.
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous puts it: “When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.”
This is our lived experience at The Wheelhouse, one that transcends 12-step recovery and is echoed in faith traditions, mindfulness movements, healing practices, and modern psychology.
What is a “spiritual malady”?
A spiritual malady is not about lacking religious affiliation, not about a lack of faith, or failing to follow a particular theology or code of morality. It’s a condition of disconnection—disconnection from:
Our selves, the part of us that knows our value and our integrity.
Other people, healthy relationships, a sense of belonging.
God or a higher power, whatever you name it.
When we are spiritually unwell, we experience:
Restlessness. We feel discontent, even with outward success.
Self-sabotaging behavior.
A feeling of isolation.
A lack of peace or joy.
In recovery, we find that this inner void drives compulsive drinking, substance abuse, overwork, and unhealthy relationships.
Daily practice of reflection with prayer and meditation.
Why Spiritual Recovery Comes First
Many healing methods aim first at what can be seen: the mood swings, the anxious thoughts, the restless nights, the compulsive habits. While these are important to address, they are often branches of a tree deeply rooted in spiritual disconnection.
If you prune the branches without healing the root, the sickness regrows. We may enjoy a period of mental clarity, but without a deeper spiritual shift, the inner emptiness persists, and old cycles return.
When the spiritual roots are nourished, the mind becomes calmer and less reactive, and the body responds with better sleep and reduced cravings.
Spiritual Healing
Spiritual healing begins with recognition, becoming aware that we are disconnected. We admit that our attempts at control are not working, acknowledging our desire for a deeper meaning and purpose, opening ourselves to help.
This is not about blind belief but about willingness. In recovery language, it’s a shift from self-reliance to trusting something beyond ourselves to help guide and sustain us.
Mental Realignment
When the spiritual gap begins to close, mental changes follow. Problems that once felt crushing start to reduce in size. Self-judgment begins to slip away. We become capable of forgiving.
Our focus shifts away from self-centered plans and toward actively contributing to life. Peace of mind begins to grow within us as we learn to face life with confidence.
Physical Restoration
Because the mind and body are connected, mental relief can lead to noticeable physical improvements. Consistent levels of stress hormones like cortisol decrease. Sleep patterns stabilize. Physical cravings gradually lose their urgency.
Physical healing requires time and consistent effort, yes, but it becomes sustainable when fueled by an inner source of peace. Sheer willpower can burn out over time. When an inner source of peace supports healing, it gains a steady fuel supply that doesn’t run dry during challenges.
Honest conversations with trusted friends.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO SPIRITUAL RECOVERY
Step 1: Identify the Signs
You may be in the grip of a spiritual malady if:
You feel an emptiness that no achievement seems to fill.
You are escaping into work, substances, or relationships.
You feel cut off from others and from yourself.
Step 2: Seek Connection Over Control
Most of us try to fix our lives by micromanaging outcomes, doubling down on discipline. Spiritual recovery requires surrendering control in favor of real connection.
This can look like:
A daily practice of prayer or meditation.
Serving others without expectation of anything in return.
Honest conversations with trusted friends.
Step 3: Build a Daily Spiritual Maintenance Practice
Spiritual recovery is not a single “aha moment”. Consistency is the key.
Practices include:
Morning gratitude lists.
Evening reflections on your day.
Weekly participation in a support group or faith gathering.
Science Agrees
Research consistently shows that people who live with clear meaning and direction experience lower rates of depression, enjoy better cardiovascular health, and often live longer, healthier lives. This connection suggests that spiritual wellness is a vital foundation for whole-person health.
COMMON OBSTACLES AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
1. Skepticism About Spirituality
This is not about religion or faith, so if spirituality feels foreign or off-putting, consider defining it in a way that aligns with your understanding. Think in terms of meaning, connectedness, beauty, or creativity.
2. Impatience for Results
Spiritual recovery often produces slow, subtle effects and shifts before any dramatic changes. Trust the process and measure progress by internal alignments rather than immediate external results.
3. Fear of Vulnerability
Reconnection requires exposure to ourselves, to others, and to a power greater than ourselves. Start with safe spaces: a trusted friend or mentor, a support group, a counselor, a minister.
Conclusion: Healing from the Inside Out
The phrase “When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically” is not just a recovery slogan; it’s a blueprint for lasting change.
When we tend to the root first, our spiritual disconnection, we build a foundation strong enough to support mental clarity and physical health. It’s not about bypassing therapy or ignoring medical care; it’s about making those efforts more effective by starting where the deepest healing happens.
Check out this downloadable daily spiritual recovery checklist.