Turning to a higher power during recovery has long been seen as a powerful tool in substance abuse treatment. The popular 12-step program, started in the 1930s by Alcoholics Anonymous and adapted by many other support groups and treatment facilities, uses spirituality and a higher power as a pivotal feature in the path to remaining abstinent.
Faith based treatment has been shown to be very powerful and beneficial for those looking for support from God. By recognizing the powerless of the individual and putting trust in God, you can find the strength to do what you never thought you could.
What is Faith Based Treatment?
Faith based treatment is simply a treatment program that includes spirituality as part of the overall treatment program. It focuses on the power of God or another higher power in supporting an addict to overcome addiction. Faith based treatment does not have to align itself with a particular religion or definition of God, although many people find it helpful to do so, especially if they also participate in religious services and join the faith community.
Not Letting Powerlessness Win
Many recovering addicts feel helpless, powerless and lost. This leads them to feeling pessimistic about their chances of remaining sober, and they do not have the means to overcome this negative outlook. With faith-based treatment, a person does not feel lost in their powerlessness. Instead, they accept that they are powerless, but put their trust in a higher power to help them with what they cannot do on their own.
The Importance of Spirituality
Several studies have found that people who are spiritual tend to have more positive emotions and are physically and mentally healthier. Many people turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to escape painful or negative emotions or stress. Spirituality provides another outlet for overcoming these problems, one that is overall healthier.
Some experts believe that addiction is not just a physical and mental disorder but also is a spiritual problem. For people who come from a religious or spiritual background but have felt they lost the way, undergoing a faith-based treatment can help them once again find their faith.
The Benefits of Faith-Based Treatment
Faith based treatment has many benefits. First and foremost, it helps people no longer feel powerless and lost. Instead, they know they may not have the power alone to conquer addiction, but by believing in the power of God, they can conquer anything. This focus on spirituality has additional benefits.
Many people find they are happier and feel freer, no longer fearing people or places. They also no longer feel self-pity or have a low self-esteem. They also are more compassionate and help others, making them feel more worthwhile. They also feel they have the strength to handle anything.
They find they no longer regret the past but look towards starting a new life with a new, positive outlook and inner peace. They feel as though they have purpose and direction in their life with more inner strength.
Healthy Fellowship
Religious and spiritual communities also provide a healthy social environment in which recovering addicts can engage. Social connection is important to a person’s overall health and well being, especially during early recovery. By attending religious services or otherwise engaging in a faith-based community, a person has the support they need to remain strong in recovery.
By attending faith-based treatment, a person can often begin to engage in this community and continue to do so once they have left treatment. Although faith based treatment is not for everyone, many people find that it provides them with the strength to do what they never though they could: have a sober and happy life.