In a correspondence between Dr. Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist who treated alcoholics, and Bill Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, Dr. Jung conceptualized the craving for alcohol as a thirst for wholeness and a need for union with God. Both Dr. Jung and Mr. Wilson agreed that a spiritual life is necessary for recovery from alcoholism. Despite advances in Addiction Medicine since the time of Jung and Wilson, spirituality remains central to recovery from alcoholism. Medicines can help curb cravings, but alcoholism is not merely a physical illness that can be managed solely by medications. The active participation of the recovering alcoholic in a mental, emotional and spiritual transformation is critical for a continued state of remission. By referring to spirituality as a key element in recovery, I am not alluding to mystical or religious transformation. Recovery from alcoholism does not require a belief in God, or any form of organized religion. However, it does call for a radical change in thinking.

As the problem with alcohol develops, the alcoholic is under the mistaken belief that he can resist alcohol through the exercise of will power. The alcoholic sees himself as all powerful and able to compete with external forces such as alcohol. As long as the alcoholic is resisting the drink, he is exhibiting a strong will. However, a strong will requires constant challenge. By repeatedly challenging the self to have only one drink and resist all others, the alcoholic finds that he predictably and repeatedly fails in his struggle against alcohol. Consequences of drinking become more frequent. The alcoholic begins to lose things that are dear to him such as his spouse, children, family, friends, job, social life and health.

The alcoholic and his family view the consequences of drinking as crises. However, a crisis can be an opportunity for change. The change for an alcoholic comes with surrender that replaces a constant state of resistance. The surrender is about understanding that alcohol is more powerful than the alcoholic. The admission of defeat by the alcoholic is a change in his thought process and a spiritual experience. The act of surrender is a sign of strength and it is the start of the journey of recovery to a more powerful self.

The surrender to the fact that the alcohol is more powerful than the alcoholic is a new way of thinking. One might argue that a change in thinking is not a simple matter, especially when it comes to admitting defeat. While I agree that changing one’s thought process is difficult, it is an achievable and concrete goal.

By surrendering, the alcoholic removes the blinders that prevent him from acknowledging the truth about his situation. The rationale behind the surrender is clear: if alcohol always wins in the end, then what is the point of getting pummeled over and over again? The elimination of the struggle against alcohol is an important spiritual lesson. However, recovery from alcoholism is not about surrendering and giving up hope and responsibility for self and others. It is about discovering one’s true power and learning to humbly exercise that power. It is no surprise that Reinhold Neibhhur’s Serenity Prayer, written in 1926, is extremely helpful to recovering individuals in managing their daily lives. The prayer is a useful tool for most people and it goes like this: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Arpi Hovaguimian, LCSW-R is the Executive Director of the Alcohol & Drug Council. The Sober Talk column is published in the Ithaca Journal on the first Thursday of each month.