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“Enforced morality lacks the power that comes to us when we choose to live a spiritual life.”
– Basic Text, page 44
Recovery brings us the gift of freedom—freedom from addiction, freedom to make choices, and freedom to shape our lives. In active addiction, many of us relinquished this freedom, allowing drugs or others to dictate our actions and decisions. Now, in recovery, we are empowered to take responsibility for our lives. With this freedom comes a profound responsibility: to make choices that align with our values and to accept the consequences of those choices.
In active addiction, many of us lived reactively. We allowed our cravings, fears, or the influence of others to steer our lives. We may have avoided responsibility, preferring to let someone or something else dictate our actions. This lack of agency stripped us of the ability to make meaningful choices, leaving us feeling powerless and disconnected.
Recovery restores our capacity to choose. The ability to decide how we want to live, act, and grow is a cornerstone of our new lives.
Freedom to choose is both a privilege and a responsibility. In recovery, we are tasked with making decisions that reflect our growth and commitment to living a spiritual life.
This freedom doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes. In fact, learning from the consequences of our choices is an essential part of personal growth. By taking responsibility for our actions, we develop self-awareness, accountability, and resilience.
In recovery, it can be tempting to rely on others to make decisions for us, just as we once let addiction dictate our lives. While seeking advice and support is vital, we must ultimately take ownership of our choices. Abdicating responsibility to others is not recovery—it’s avoidance.
True freedom comes when we embrace the gift of choice and navigate its challenges with courage and honesty.
The freedom to choose allows us to live in alignment with spiritual principles. Instead of being forced or coerced into certain behaviors, we make deliberate decisions to act with integrity, compassion, and humility. This alignment strengthens our recovery and deepens our sense of purpose.
By choosing to live a spiritual life, we:
Freedom in recovery is a gift worth cherishing. Each decision we make—whether big or small—reflects the progress we’ve made and the life we’re building. By embracing this freedom, we create a life filled with purpose, authenticity, and growth.