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Faith-based rehab takes addiction treatment beyond the typical medical and emotional aspects, ultimately addressing the spiritual needs of those in rehab. Standard treatment techniques are used, such as detox and behavioral therapies, but spiritual elements play a central role in each care plan.
At a spiritual rehab center, participants have opportunities to worship, pray, and read scripture. These activities, along with other faith-based practices, are essential components of the process as a whole. Christian faith-based rehab points people to God and encourages them to develop a relationship with Him that will change their lives and help them achieve long-term recovery.
Research has shown that this type of treatment program is highly effective. A Baylor University study revealed that religious practice can help reduce drug and alcohol abuse.1 And multiple studies have found that faith reduced the risks associated with alcohol use, abuse, or dependence.2
Specifically, those with strong religious beliefs are up to eight times less likely to use illegal drugs and up to five times less likely to binge drink. Researchers also found that church-supported recovery programs provide $316 billion in savings to the U.S. economy every year. With so many benefits, it’s no surprise that 73% of substance abuse treatment programs incorporate spiritual components.3
What Does Faith-Based Drug Rehab Offer?
A spiritual rehab center typically offers many of the same types of care that non-faith-based drug rehabs provide. However, they also offer daily prayer, Bible studies, worship sessions, spiritual discussions, and spiritual reflection times.
These spiritual aspects are incorporated into the various levels of care that are offered in faith-based drug rehab programs. These may include:
- Drug detox: During detox, your body is purged of all addictive substances. This occurs under supervision, so you can safely work through physical withdrawal from drugs and alcohol.
- Inpatient rehab: A residential faith-based rehab program offers 24/7 supervision and care. You’ll participate in group and individual counseling and other therapies. These programs may be short or long-term, lasting from 28 days to one year.
- Outpatient rehab: For this type of program, you’ll go to the spiritual rehab center for treatment but live at home. Different levels of intensity are available, from a few hours of therapy per week to several hours of treatment each day.
- Individual and group therapy: These therapy sessions are designed to help participants get to the root of addiction issues and work through them, discover mutual support, and learn how to live a sober, faith-filled life.
- Family therapy: Faith-based rehab centers often involve family members in therapy sessions. The goal is to work through relationship challenges that have resulted from substance abuse and learn how to love, forgive, and support one another.
- Life skills/emotional coping training: This type of training helps participants learn self-management, social skills, and coping skills that will help them maintain sobriety after they complete treatment at the faith-based rehab.
- Aftercare programs: Once you complete a faith-based rehab program, the recovery journey continues. You’ll need ongoing support as you re-enter life and face challenges new and old. Aftercare provides this support through methods such as 12-step groups, mentors, sober living homes, and individual therapy.
Benefits of Christian Rehab Programs
Faith-based rehab offers multiple unique benefits that are not available at other types of programs. Some of these benefits include:
Support from a close community of like-minded people. Faith-based rehab unites program participants in a tight-knit community. Typically, everyone involved shares the same or similar beliefs and is working toward the same goals. Having reflection and discussion times with like-minded people who are also struggling with addiction can help participants overcome the feelings of shame and isolation that can lead to relapse. The emotional and spiritual support and accountability provided by this close community create an environment that strengthens faith and encourages recovery.
Focus on spiritual reflection throughout rehab. During faith-based rehab, spiritual matters aren’t ignored, and they aren’t simply tacked onto the program in a minimal way. Spiritual reflection is a significant part of the treatment program. This allows participants to focus on their faith and truly spend time exploring spiritual matters, which can transform their lives and lead to successful recovery.
Time for worship and prayer. These times are integrated into the program as an important part of treatment. They provide meaningful spiritual moments that can have a significant impact on participants. Worship and prayer sessions may occur individually as well as in small or large group settings.
Emphasis on the power of scripture to provide a source of strength in recovery. Faith-based rehab offers direct guidance and answers to life’s toughest questions through scripture. Participants don’t have to figure out how to cope with challenges on their own. They can turn to scripture for answers and support.
12-Step Programs Based in Religion
The most common 12-step programs, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, include strong faith-based rehab elements. Many of the steps refer to God or a Higher Power and involve faith and a relationship with God. For example, step three of AA states: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.4
The philosophies of these programs typically mesh well with faith-based rehabs and can provide a continued source of support after you complete a treatment program.
Do You Need to Have a Particular Religious Belief?
Different faith-based rehab programs are available for different religions. Each spiritual rehab center focuses on the spiritual elements of that religion and incorporates the beliefs of that faith into the program. Programs include:
- Christian – Both Catholic and non-Catholic
- Jewish
- Islamic
Resources
- Juergens, J. (2015, July 7). Faith-Based drug and alcohol rehab. Addiction Center. https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/faith-based-drug-and-alcohol-rehab/
- Grim, B. J., & Grim, M. E. (2019). Belief, Behavior, and Belonging: How Faith is Indispensable in Preventing and Recovering from Substance Abuse. Journal of Religion and Health, 58(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00876-w
- Research shows correlation between faith and recovery. (n.d.). North American Division of Seventh-Day Adventists. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://www.nadadventist.org/news/research-shows-correlation-between-faith-and-recovery
- The twelve steps. (n.d.). Alcoholics Anonymous. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://www.aa.org/the-twelve-steps
