Maybe you haven’t been to church in a couple of decades. Or perhaps you grew up in a family that didn’t practice religion, and God is a foreign concept to you. Whatever your religious background, substance abuse is as much a disease of the spirit as it is of the body.
This is why people with SUD (substance use disorder) who also have access to spiritual healing while in recovery enjoy statistically better odds of maintaining lifelong sobriety. Researchers looked at one group of patients going through a 12-Step program and found that 82% of those who had a spiritual awakening during treatment were still sober 12 months later. Only 55% of those who did not experience a spiritual change achieved that same milestone.
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Christ Invites All
When Jesus Christ was on the earth, he interacted with people from all walks of life. Whether they were rich, poor, hated, beloved, sinners, saints, religious, or non-religious didn’t matter. Likewise, after His crucifixion and resurrection, Christ’s apostles continued inviting all to see His gospel in action and follow in His footsteps.
As a Christian treatment center, the counselors and staff at Renaissance Ranch carry on that tradition by offering spiritual healing to everyone who walks through its doors, regardless of their background or beliefs. “We don’t expect people to convert to a specific denomination when they come here,” said Preston Dixon, COO, and a former resident. “Like many other faith-based recovery programs in Utah and elsewhere, we only ask that you come with an open mind and a willingness to accept that a higher power deeply loves you.” He continued, “Feeling that love is critical to overcoming the shame and isolation caused by addiction.”
To illustrate, we would like to share some of the ways faith-based drug rehabs, specifically Christian ones, can help people suffering from substance abuse receive the spiritual healing that’s so critical to lifelong recovery:
Customized Treatment
A faith-based treatment center can provide individuals with customized programming that meets them where they are at spiritually. If the person comes from an atheist or agnostic background, group leaders might focus on the words “higher power” in the first steps of the 12-Step program instead of using “God.” However the patient interprets that phrase, the key is that they know there is someone or something greater than themselves who is able to exert influence over their lives to help them recover.
In addition, the Bible contains many passages that point to moral behavior, good life skills, and inclusion. Thus, someone who doesn’t necessarily believe in holy scripture can still benefit from reading specific passages that encourage and inspire.
Community Support
A true faith community is where everyone – the believing and the non-believing – feels equally loved, accepted, and respected. Secular addiction recovery centers can’t always achieve the same family feel that comes with seeing each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. A Christian rehab can foster this sense of community by creating a judgment-free environment where people can share experiences, have an open and honest dialogue, and support one another.
An excellent faith-based treatment community also has the potential to lend support and fellowship long after the formal program ends. Some Christian treatment centers have robust alumni programs that meet regularly, online and in person, to keep members connected and accountable to each other.
Focus on Values, Meaning
You can trace much of society’s behavioral ideals to Christian doctrines, such as not killing, lying, stealing, or cheating on your spouse. The 12 steps demand a lot of self-reflection around these moral and ethical standards. By studying basic Christian teachings, a person can further explore the principles of accountability, honesty, humility, hope, forgiveness, and restitution, while developing their personal values and beliefs.
Focusing on faith-centered values also serves another essential purpose – when you realize and acknowledge that you are accountable to a higher power, your life takes on meaning and purpose. Who you are and what you do matters, which motivates you to stay committed to recovery.
Holistic Approach
Traditional, secular substance abuse facilities often focus on the more physical aspects of addiction and recovery – detoxification, withdrawal aid, medication assistance, and clinical therapy. The driving purpose is to get you clean and back into the world within 30 to 90 days. With a 40% to 60% relapse rate within a few months after treatment, however, it’s evident that people with SUD need more support.
A good faith-based treatment center offers up-to-date medical and mental health services, as well as essential spiritual care like worship services, religious counseling, time alone for prayer or meditation, and opportunities to serve in the community. Faith-centered rehabs also place heavy emphasis on continued involvement in AA/NA (Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous) groups and alumni programs after treatment as a way to maintain sobriety.
If you would like more information about our faith-based recovery programs in Utah and Idaho, call us at (888) 736-7262.