Gratitude is defined as, “Readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness; thankfulness.” Similar to appreciation, gratitude occurs when we affirm the goodness we’ve received in life. Robert Emmons, a leading expert on gratitude, stated in his Greater Good essay, “Why Gratitude is Good”,
“…We recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves…We acknowledge that other people – or even higher power, if you’re of a spiritual mindset – gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.”
Gratitude is a powerful force for many in recovery because it’s all about understanding how lucky, blessed and/or gifted we are to have the support, tools and help that we’ve received along the way. When we express gratitude, we send out positive wishes to the world – because rather than expecting that we’d receive help, or assuming that we deserve all the help we’ve received, we acknowledge all of the forces that have made our current reality possible.
The Importance of Gratitude in Recovery
Gratitude is a major component of 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The 12th step states,
“Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to [those with addiction], and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
Many in addiction recovery would say that by the end of their program, they likely feel thankful for their journey; it is through this gratitude that they can now become useful in others’ lives, and that’s where their guidance to others often comes into play. A 2017 study published in the journal Addiction Research & Theory assessed 184 members of 12-Step recovery programs in an effort to find out what effects gratitude had on their recovery. This is what the researchers found:
- Higher levels of gratitude predicted greater participation in AA promises, 12-Step practices, post-traumatic growth and social support
- The more gratitude individual members felt, the less likely they were to experience health issues and negative emotions
Overall, those who practiced gratitude reported better quality of life – but how is this? The effects of gratitude can benefit our lives in more ways than one. Not only can it strengthen our relationships with others, but it can provide us with a load of other physical, psychological, and social effects, too.
Gratitude in Context of AA and 12-Step Programs
When in recovery, gratitude is as much about understanding where you could be as where you are. What would your life be like if you hadn’t taken the steps to enter recovery? Or if you didn’t have any support whatsoever?
Gratitude is a rejection of defeatism and self-pity, instead choosing to focus on optimism. Your mindset is a key part of not just the recovery process, but how much you get out of each day. This is why recovery programs don’t just focus on breaking bad habits, but on building good ones as well. In a very real way, gratitude improves your entire quality of life.
The Transformative Effects of Gratitude
Robert Emmens, the researcher aforementioned, explains that gratitude is a relationship-strengthening emotion that requires us to see how we’ve been supported. The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley explored the very powerful effects of gratitude:
Physical
- Less aches and pains
- Lower blood pressure
- Strengthened immune system
- Better sleep
- Increased exercise
Psychological
- Higher levels of positive emotions
- Greater alertness and vitality
- Enhanced joy and pleasure
- Optimism and happiness
Social
- More helpful, generous, and compassionate towards others
- Forgiveness is practiced more
- More outgoing
- Less loneliness and isolation
The powerful effects of gratitude often stem from recognizing that it wasn’t us – that it was something outside of ourselves – that got us to where we are today. For those in recovery, gratitude could be towards a number of people: peers in recovery, a sponsor, a therapist, healthcare team, family, friends, coworkers, and more can all create a huge impact in the grand scheme of someone’s life.
Gratitude tunes us into the present moment – it grounds us and allows us to recognize how we got to the “here and now”. It also blocks negative emotions that stem from ungratefulness, such as envy, resentment and regret. If you really think about it, those emotions cannot exist alongside gratitude. When we’re grateful, we’re accepting all of the love we’ve received from another source – which could also include a higher power.
Spirituality and Gratitude
Spirituality is a crucial aspect of recovery for many people, because addiction negatively affects the mind, body, and the spirit. 12-Step programs and formal treatment programs alike help people strengthen their spirituality. In 2017, Forbes Magazine noted that while gratitude is a common theme around Thanksgiving, it’s an ultimate spiritual practice that can be for anytime, any day. They mentioned Deepak Chopra, an American author, public speaker, and prominent leader in spirituality, who had emphasized that gratitude is recognizing the presence of the Divine in our lives. Rather than a strictly religious perspective, gratitude is a spiritual practice that is considered the “antidote” to many forms of suffering.
Start Practicing Today
There is no special occasion that needs to take place in order for gratitude to occur. We can easily reflect on the paths we’ve taken, on the conversations we’ve had with others that have inspired us, on the people who have contributed to our recovery, and so much more. Gratitude places us in a position to not only see how far we’ve come, but to recognize and thank the people who’ve helped us get to where we need to be.
If you’ve been struggling with substance addiction, don’t wait any longer to seek the help you need.
Cumberland Heights is a nonprofit alcohol and drug-addiction treatment center located on the banks of the Cumberland river in Nashville, Tennessee. On a sprawling 177-acre campus, we are made up of 2 12-Step immersion campuses, 12 outpatient recovery centers and 4 sober living homes. We believe that each person has a unique story to tell – and that’s why we always put the patient first.
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