Why Choose a Faith-Based Program?

 

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, programs that focus on spirituality and God play a key role in the effective rehabilitation of people dealing with substance abuse. A faith-based recovery program understands that addiction and substance abuse is not just a physical affliction; it acknowledges the spiritual and emotional suffering of an individual. This then creates a holistic approach for the addict that pays attention to their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Faith-based groups seek to restore the sufferer’s spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being through guidance and spiritual support. In addiction recovery, the process becomes more meaningful to the addicts, encouraging them to transform their lives totally.

Holistic and Sustainable Recovery

Addiction recovery programs that focus on more than science and the physical addiction symptoms often perform better than traditional recovery methods. Spirituality allows for a holistic approach that allows individuals to connect with a Higher Power.

Religious individuals and groups believe in a Higher Power and often refer to existing doctrine for guidance in their lives. A faith-based approach introduces these elements to the addict and creatively incorporates them into the recovery process. Addicts learn to trust early on in the recovery process. The approach teaches trust in the facility’s staff members, recovering peers, and in a greater power. The feeling of trust creates a safe environment, where the addicts open up and share their deepest fears. Trust encourages honest conversations, which help personnel identify the best course of treatment for each individual.

Faith-based programs also operate on the values of unconditional love, forgiveness, acceptance, self-esteem, self-respect, and community. These values gradually create an emotional and psychological change in the addicts, transforming their mindset.

While scientists seek to define the emotional and psychological effects of a spiritually grounded recovery program, traditional recovery centers are looking to emulate the faith-based approach in their programs.

The Personal Journey

Faith-based recovery programs encourage transformative change by teaching new behavior and introducing addicts to a community of believers living a doctrine-based life.

A spiritual approach emphasizes on new principles such as:

  • Happiness and freedom
  • A new mindset
  • Selflessness and mindfulness
  • Serenity
  • Kindness to others
  • Freedom from past mistakes and regrets
  • Self-control
  • Courage in the face of challenges
  • Self-awareness, which creates no room for self-pity
  • Inner peace
  • Connection with a Higher Power
  • Self-love and love for others

Such principles help the addicts build a solid foundation in sobriety. They begin an individual on a transformative journey that creates no room for drug and substance abuse. Individuals also develop a sense of self-worth, and begin looking for ways they can make positive contribution to society.

Personal Convictions

A faith-based approach further instills deep convictions on what is right from what is wrong. A recovering addict living around a group of people who share profound convictions is more likely to adapt similar convictions which reduce the risk of relapse significantly. Although the journey to personal faith is different for every individual, sharing the journey to normalcy with people who rely on faith and God when dealing with life’s challenges influences the patient towards positive choices in the face of difficulties. The believers also share their testimonies, which act as an encouragement to an addict looking for inspiration to stay on the new path.

It also introduces the individual to a community of believers who act as ‘sponsors’ once the journey to sobriety begins. This community of believers introduces the individual to fun, drug-free activities and establishments. By watching other believers enjoy their lives without any intoxication, sobriety as a lifestyle choice becomes a reality.

Conclusion

Advances in science and medicine do not conflict with a faith-based approach in the treatment of addiction and substance abuse. Instead, the two fields create a complimentary approach that combines two powerful interventions for sustainable sobriety. By embracing the best of both worlds, individuals who go through a faith-based recovery program enjoy sobriety while learning their place and role as part of a higher purpose. God also becomes a central force in their lives. When they feel accountable to a Higher Power, they can confidently and consistently choose to stay sober.

 

Ready to take your life back?

Your information is private and confidential