The Best Christian Apps for Addiction Recovery
March 17, 2020A Look at Mental Health in The Bible
March 31, 2020The Best Christian Apps for Addiction Recovery
March 17, 2020A Look at Mental Health in The Bible
March 31, 2020The Complicated Relationship Between Addiction and Religion
Religion and faith can be powerful sources of good in a person’s life.
In contrast, addiction can come with several negative consequences. While religion and substance abuse seem like they are worlds apart, the two are more connected than many people realized.
The Different Connections Between Addiction and Religion
While at first glance the two seem unrelated, the relationship between addiction and religion is multi-dimensional. Both can play a strong role in a person’s life and the two often have an impact on the other.
Faith for Drug Prevention
Religion and faith may also play a role in drug prevention. One study found that people who identified religion as being important to them were less likely to use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs than their non-religious peers.1 The youth are often a specifically vulnerable group for drug and alcohol abuse, but faith can change that. A survey found that marijuana use among adolescents who considered religion to play an important role in their life was 9.9% as compared to 21.5% of those who considered religion to be only slightly important.1
The Relationship Between Addiction and the Loss of Faith
It is natural to question the word of God when you are going through a hard time. For drug addicts and alcoholics who may have lost their jobs, relationships, and general sense of freedom, their faith can be lost. As they fall deeper and deeper into their addiction, they may also stray further and further from their faith. By the time they hit rock bottom, the addict or alcoholic may have lost all hope and faith. Faith-based addiction therapies can help those addicts who decided to get help to reconnect with their faith as they get sober.
The Relationship Between Religion and Addiction Recovery
As a Christian rehabilitation center in Pompano, we know that faith can be an important source of strength for people in recovery. Many recovering addicts replace their substance abuse problems with a strong devotion to their faith. In fact, 84% of scientific studies suggest that faith is a positive factor in addiction recovery.2 To the outsider, it may appear that the person in recovery is addicted to religion now, but in reality, the recovering addict is filling the void left behind from their addiction with religion. Instead of spending their time getting high or thinking about how they will get their next high, the recovering addict now has a lot more free time on their hands. In order to fill this free time, they have turned to religion. Not only is faith a healthier way to spend their time, but also, their faith can give them strength as they go through the ups and downs of recovery.
The relationship between addiction and religion can be complicated. If you are struggling with addiction, your relationship with God may suffer. If someone you love is battling a substance abuse problem, you may notice that their faith is waning. Instead of giving up all hope, faith-based addiction recovery programs could be the answer you are looking for. At Faith in Recovery, we focus on spirituality along with overcoming an addiction.
Is it possible to find strength in recovery through messages and support systems not based in religion?
Indeed, individuals seeking recovery can gain strength from various sources, including messages and support systems that do not rely on religious foundations. This shows that support in recovery can be diverse and inclusive of different belief systems.
How can non-faith-based programs and secular counselors support recovery?
Non-faith-based programs and secular counselors play a crucial role in supporting recovery by offering diverse resources and methods that do not rely on religious frameworks. These programs, such as SMART Recovery, emphasize self-help and personal empowerment, enabling individuals to discover their own paths to recovery. Many treatment centers and hospitals incorporate these secular options because they can effectively address the varied needs of those seeking help, allowing each person to engage with recovery strategies that resonate most with their personal beliefs and situations.
If you are ready to get started or want to learn more about our program, contact us today at 888-280-4763.
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