Whether in drug rehab or alcohol abuse treatment, being in the trenches of addiction recovery is the most vulnerable and difficult period in one’s life.
A person recovering from substance abuse will face physical, mental, and emotional hardship. Some of the most valuable tools they learn at an addiction recovery center are coping mechanisms.
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Letting Go of Detrimental Relationships
The isolation one feels in addiction recovery can cause physical pain. This is primarily due to the necessary disconnect between friends connected to the addiction. Part of recovery is letting go of old habits, patterns, and people who are bad influences. Letting go of such friendships may be extremely hard, but recognizing when to say goodbye is a step in the right direction. This often means you crave new friendships, good influences, and people who will encourage good habits.
Being in such a vulnerable state in recovery, many turn to religion. It may be the welcoming congregation or the kindness and compassion shown that help propel someone on their path to recovery. For many who already believe in God, religion is a pillar in their healing. Being part of a church or religion is a great way to make new friends and create a new lifestyle.
Religion Doesn’t Resonate with Everyone in Recovery
Religious practices may feel inauthentic and unhelpful for others who don’t believe in a higher power. And that is OK. Turning to religion when overcoming addiction can be an excellent way to find support and community. However, it is not necessary, and you can still find a supportive community outside of religion. Recovery is for everyone.
How Religion Helps Countless People in Recovery
A relationship with Christ and a steadfast faith can be a source of strength, hope, resilience, and comfort in times of turmoil. In addition, having a faith-based community may introduce one to friendships that cause positive peer pressure and will hold a recovering substance abuser accountable. For example, one may care so deeply about their church friendships that they won’t want to put these relationships at risk by relapsing. Other ways that religion can be a positive pillar in recovery include:
- Provides a supportive community of welcoming people
- Offers love, acceptance, and verbal affirmations from fellow believers
- Helps one have a moral and ethical system to live by
- Gives a sense of comfort, calmness, and peace when putting faith in God
A person in recovery often feels vulnerable and wants equal parts to gain back control of their life and equal parts to hand the control over to Jesus Christ. Many turn to Christ when hitting rock bottom. Because of the helpful associations between religion and recovery, many effective substance abuse facilities like Renaissance Ranch incorporate faith and spirituality into their program.
Recovery Without Religious Aspects
If religion is not your jam, that does not have to get in the way of a long-lasting and empowering recovery from addiction. Plenty of Atheists maintain an effective recovery every day without believing in a higher power.
Spirituality Without Religion
You might be the spiritual type, but not necessarily the religious type. Not everyone fits into a specific box in a faith-based addiction recovery center. There is room for tailoring the program to fit your spirituality and belief system.
A person’s belief system and values, wherever they stand, are pivotal in the recovery process. Meditation is a massive tool for connecting to one’s spirituality to grow a better connection to mind, body, and soul. Deepening your spirituality also helps conquer impulsive behaviors and create positive and long-lasting habits to overcome detrimental patterns.
Many studies show there is a positive correlation between spirituality and health. Some benefits of spirituality in healthcare include:
- Lower stress levels
- More peace
- Enhanced mental and physical health
- Increase in optimism
- Better ability to cope with discouraging news
- Higher self-awareness
It is possible to eliminate the religious aspect in recovery while still holding onto the spiritual part for dear life. You can even join a faith-based recovery program and view it with a spiritual lens instead of a religious one. You will still get the same benefits and integral tools from it.
If You Want to Keep Things Secular
If religion is a definite no and even spirituality isn’t your thing, many addiction recovery programs steer clear of such mentions and practices altogether. Meditation might still be a tool, but the focus is on mind control, connection, and scientific explanation rather than anything faith-based or deity-centered.
Treatment is more than just a one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone is unique, and their treatment should be, too. You can still gain precious support systems and relationships outside of religion. No matter what rehab center you choose, you can take what appeals to you and leave what doesn’t. The important thing is that you reach out for help, open your heart, and prepare to become a new you.