Spiritual and Faith-Based Rehab Centers

Many who are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction might be overlooking an invaluable opportunity at a faith-based residential treatment center to boost them on their road to recovery. Such an opportunity is found in treatment based on the principles of faith. Religious conviction, expressed through prayer, spiritual advice and worship, can provide an essential element in ensuring not only freedom from addiction but also lifelong sobriety.

As more and more people in our society struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol, it becomes necessary, therefore, to take such faith-based rehabs into consideration when determining the best way forward, particularly for those who have found some rehabilitation centers to be ineffective in ensuring their long-term sobriety. Adding religious conviction to the traditional methods of treatment provide a substantial added element toward lifelong success.

A wide variety of faith-centered recovery programs is available. The choice will partly depend on the individual’s upbringing and cultural background. But all can provide ways that enhance the chances for success.

Baptist Drug Rehabilitation Programs

Centered around the Bible and Christian teachings, Baptist recovery centers offer help through prayer, Bible study, and worship as well as individual counseling assistance given by a pastor or senior church official.

Buddhism Drug Rehabilitation Programs

Aspects of Buddhist beliefs are incorporated into drug and alcohol abuse treatment. They often include meditation, yoga or simply setting oneself apart from others in lengthy periods of silence.

Catholic Drug Rehabilitation

Treatment involves traditional forms of treatment for substance abuse, such as detoxification and counseling, in addition to teaching and practice based on Catholic beliefs, such as communion, mass, and confession as well as individual consultation with a priest or nun.

Christian Drug Rehabilitation Programs

The Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation offered by Christian-affiliated programs is centered on principles that are found in the Bible and Christ’s teachings. Included are the principles of love, forgiveness, and faith in Christ. They are based on drawing on God’s power for help in fighting an addiction. Such assistance is obtained through prayer groups, Bible study, and worship services. Individual spiritual support is often also available from a pastor or senior church leader.

Those who run these centers believe that faith, hope, and love are medicines that provide spiritual help in recovery from addiction.

Christian Alcohol Recovery Centers

Similar to those offered in drug rehabilitation, Christian alcohol treatment centers draw on the power of faith to assist in recovery from alcohol addiction. Many Christian recovery centers have a stronger record of success than traditional centers.

Disciples of Christ

In addition to the methods offered by standard Christian recovery centers, the Disciples of Christ emphasize community and the celebration of communion, where members of the congregation share a meal and confess their sins. Such communion services take place both at the recovery centers as well as in community outreach programs in which those attending the recovery centers involved.

Episcopalian/Anglican

These treatment centers include traditional healing methods with teachings on God, Christ, and the Trinity added. They also offer confession and communion services.

Full Gospel

The treatment here centers on evangelical church services that emphasize life transformation through a belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Central to these services is prayer and spiritual guidance. Bible studies in which these aspects of Christian teaching are emphasized are also offered as part of the treatment program.

Hindu

In addition to traditional treatment, rehabilitation centers based on the Hindu faith include Hindu practices and principles, such as yoga, meditation, worshiping several times a day, and a search for the purpose in one’s life. Also, Hindu adherence to a rigorous diet is usually also applicable at rehabilitation centers.

Jehovah’s Witness

The treatment at Jehovah’s Witness centers is based on principles to be found in the religion’s teachings. Those in the treatment centers are often called upon to take part in the outreach programs associated with the faith.

Jewish-Christian

Treatment at Jewish Christian centers includes elements of Christianity in addition to those of Judaism. The treatment is based on the Old Testament as well as Christ’s teaching as found in the New Testament.

Jewish

In addition to conventional substance abuse treatments, Jewish facilities offer aspects of the Jewish faith as found in Old Testament teachings, synagogue services, and kosher meals.

Lutheran

Treatment provided in Lutheran recovery centers is based on the teachings of Martin Luther as well as general Christian principles. Spiritual advice based on the Lutheran teachings is offered at the centers, where patients take part in Lutheran church practices that include prayer, communion, and worship services.

Mennonite

An emphasis is placed on work, such as farming, sewing, and building at most Mennonite treatment centers. Bible study and prayer are also included.

Methodist/Wesleyan

At treatment programs offered by Methodists, also known as Wesleyans, patients are offered drug counseling, detoxification and other traditional treatment methods in addition to Methodist teachings, which usually emphasize community outreach and missionary work.

Mormon/Latter-Day Saints/LDS

Teachings of the Bible and the Book of Mormon are offered at treatment centers in addition to regular treatment for substance abuse, such as counseling and detoxification. Healthy meals and exercise are also emphasized.

Native American Religion

Patients at these centers usually take part in rituals associated with their particular tribe and location. These also emphasize communion with nature and one’s journey of self-discovery in the context of a regimen aimed at recovery.

Non-denominational

As the name implies, non-denominational churches are based on the broadly accepted principles of Christianity but do not adhere to one set of teachings and principles as outlined by any particular Christian denomination. It follows, therefore, that treatments are enhanced by general Christian practices, such as prayer, worship, and counseling, through which patients are encouraged to seek God’s help in conquering their addiction problems.

Presbyterian

As with other Christian denominations, treatment at Presbyterian centers involves prayer, worship, and Bible study in addition to standard treatment for drug addiction. Presbyterians emphasize learning and research and so this usually becomes a substantial part of the recovery process.

Protestant

Because the word Protestant embraces a full number of Christian denominations, treatment at these centers is based on the core principles of Christianity, such as prayer, worship, and Bible study, in addition to traditional treatment.

Seventh Day Adventist

At Seventh Day Adventist rehab centers, patients are encouraged to develop a closer relationship with God. The followers of this faith also emphasize the importance of a strict diet, emphasizing natural foods, and so those at the treatment centers are usually encouraged to follow these practices as part of their treatment.

Spiritualist

At these centers, patients are invited to contact the spiritual world. As a result, patients are likely to participate in means of reaching the spiritual world as part of their treatment.

Added benefits of a faith-based recovery

Although traditional treatment centers can offer a way out of substance abuse, the addition of religious recovery systems adds a layer that enhances the chances of success. Whatever the religion or denomination, the addition of faith and a reliance on a higher power than oneself in overcoming addiction increase the likelihood of achievement and particularly for long-term sobriety.

By enabling patients to feel they are not alone in their struggle and that a higher power is available to them, faith-based treatment centers provide a coping method and knowledge that will enable them to fight the temptation that comes from a return to society once their treatment is complete. Instead of life that is dependent on alcohol and drugs, they will find a life that is based on faith and spirituality.

Learning how to forgive yourself

Faith-based recovery usually enables patients to get to forgive themselves for the excesses of the past. In this way, they can set out for themselves a new path along which they can walk without being dependent on alcohol or drugs and without bearing the burden of the past. They can also learn to forgive others, which helps those who have turned to alcohol as a way to escape painful memories of sufferings they have endured at the hands of others.

Faith-based treatment adds assistance in your recovery

Addicts assisted by faith-based recovery programs no longer have to battle through on their own. Also, to helping from a higher power, they have the support of religious leaders who can continue to assist them once they are on the road to recovery. In times of temptation or backsliding, they have somewhere to turn for help.

A positive change in the lifestyle after addiction

A significant element in faith-based recovery is that it offers a whole new way of life to those who have been suffering under the burden of dependency. The opportunity to meet new friends who share such a faith-based way of life and to provide opportunities for lifelong service to others are valuable tools in conquering addiction in the long term. By leaving the past behind them, addicts are free to adopt a whole new lifestyle that restores their dignity and enables them to contribute to society.

Faith-based treatment offers a continuing aid during recovery.

Not only does belief in God help addicts to get out from under the burden of substance abuse, but it also enables them to continue to draw on that power for the rest of their lives. When troubled times arise, and they are strongly tempted to return to the enslavement of drug or alcohol abuse, they can turn to the spiritual comfort they found in the faith-based recovery center to help them stay on the road of sobriety.

Paying back

Many former addicts find a mission in helping others who are suffering in the way they once did. By helping others, they are also helping themselves to stay healthy in their new way of life. They are reminded what life was like, and that reminder can save them from relapse.

All are welcome to attend faith-based addiction treatment programs

Most religious treatment centers are open to all, no matter their church affiliation — or lack thereof — their age, ethnicity or nationality. Few centers force their beliefs on their patients, offering it as an added benefit in addition to the regular treatment. For those seeking a way out of a life of addiction, a faith-based recovery center may be the path to the new life for which they are looking.