Is faith important to you? Will it help carry you through treatment? Do you want recover in the company of people who share your beliefs and values? Many treatment programs offer spiritual guidance as part of the rehab experience. If you are seeking Christian or other faith-based care, you have options. You can get the evidence-based treatment you need rooted in the beliefs you hold or want to return to.
Stereotypes, Faith and Addiction
We don’t picture a devout churchgoer when we picture the typical addict. However, if you are religious and addicted, you are not alone. Stereotypes about drug users limit our view of addiction and treatment. It makes us hesitant to reach out, especially if we feel we will be judged.
Faith can keep us strong in the face of temptation, but it does not prevent us from being tempted. It does not exempt us from making mistakes. Seeking a better, healthier life is never a reason to be embarrassed or ashamed.
Know that you will never be judged in recovery. Faith-based treatment is not shame-based treatment. It is treatment based in compassion. It is treatment that understand the role spirituality plays in who we are and how we grow. Faith-based treatment recognizes how brave you are for taking steps and making changes.
Community in Recovery
You will never be alone when you seek faith-based care. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports, “An estimated 16 million people in the United States have alcohol use disorder.” According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers…and an estimated 467,000 addicted to heroin.”1 If you struggle with addiction, you will find peers in recovery. You will find others who share your religious or spiritual beliefs. You will find a supportive and understanding community.
Faith and Treatment
When it’s time for rehab, don’t hesitate to reach out. Hiding substance use issues just lets them grow into larger and larger problems. It’s never too late to get help, but the sooner you do so, the better. Finding faith-based help can make the difference in your life.
Faith-based treatment can give you the boost you need to lead a drug-free life. In fact, according to Faith and Mental Health, “adults and teens who indicated religion was very important in their lives or attended religious services weekly or more were far less likely to smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs…Individuals who both received professional treatment and attended spirituality-based support programs were far more likely to remain sober than if they received professionals treatment alone.”2Treatment offers a path for understanding addiction, life, and who you are. It lets you heal in the way that is right for you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
You can choose a treatment program based in your religion. You can choose a more generalized program that incorporates spiritual practices without relying on Christianity or one denomination. These programs may include more specific denominational support groups or individual therapy options. There may be church services as part of treatment or options to go to services off-campus. You can choose how much of a role religion and spirituality will play in your recovery and your life.
Life After Treatment
Continued care after completing treatment is always your best bet for long-term recovery. Before treatment ends, your treatment team will work with you to create an aftercare plan. They will put you in touch with local resources and help you build a supportive personal and professional support system. You may want to look for 12-Step programs or specific faith-based groups. You may want to find or return to a local church.
To start your journey to recovery call us at 269.280.4673 today.
1 “Opioids.” National Institute on Drug Abuse. 14 May 2014. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.
2 Koenig, Harold. Faith and Mental Health: Religious Resources for Healing. Temple Foundation Press. 15 Aug. 2009. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.