Addiction is a challenging disease made even more difficult because it messes with brain chemistry. Our thoughts shape our reality, but when chemicals alter our thoughts, they can become distorted. We can lose perspective and balance.
Taking control of your thoughts puts you in a position to change in positive ways. A mindset geared toward recovery can make all the difference in the world.
Let Faith Guide Your Mindset
A mindset, or way of thinking, predisposes you to respond in a certain way. If you have a positive mindset, you react positively to things that happen, both good and bad. For Christians, faith can have a tremendous impact on mindset. Centering your thoughts on the anchor that is Jesus Christ can guide you toward healthy thoughts and, ultimately, recovery. Here are some faith-infused mindsets to help you in your journey to sobriety.
I Am Not Alone
The purpose of choosing a faith-based drug rehab is to grow closer to Christ and gain his help in recovery rather than trying to face sobriety on your own. When you think about the road to sobriety, it can be overwhelming. You may have doubts about your ability to succeed, especially if you have tried and failed to get clean in the past.
But you aren’t fighting this battle alone. You have the medical staff to help in the detoxification process so you don’t face withdrawals without help. They can use medications to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and monitor your condition, addressing complications before they become a problem or you’re so overwhelmed you go back to using.
You also have the psychology team who will help teach you coping techniques and strategies to get past old triggers. They will address any trauma or other contributing factors to your addiction so your past doesn’t submarine your efforts to get sober. And they will offer support as you have setbacks and successes on your journey.
Most importantly, you have Christ. You recognize Jesus Christ as your Higher Power and learn to trust his love and support as you reach out to Him through prayer, scripture study, and effort. You may be weak, but your God is strong and will give you the resources and strength to fight the battles ahead. He will comfort you when you feel broken and help you heal old wounds. You are never alone with Jesus on your side.
I Can Overcome My Addiction With God’s Help
It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that because you haven’t succeeded in the past, there is no path to victory. But the past does not define your future. If you believe you will succeed, you will keep hunting for solutions to your setbacks until you finally conquer your addiction. If you believe you will fail, you will give up when things get hard. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Remember this: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
I Will Gain The Tools to Fight My Addiction
If you enter rehab looking for the tools that will change your situation, you will absorb all of the knowledge available and put it to good use. If you enter rehab thinking you’ve heard and seen it all, then your mind will be closed to the tools that could have saved you. It’s the difference between a soft and hard heart.
Every year, we gain a greater understanding of addiction and how it affects our bodies and minds. Even if you have been through rehab before, you may learn new wisdom taught to you in a new way that will click. Never give up the search for the solution that will stick, and be ever on guard. Christ is the great healer. That means he will provide a way to heal you if you let Him.
Recovery Is a Process
Understand that rehab isn’t a magic pill. A few months will not cure years of drug or alcohol abuse. Every day you will make decisions that affect your sobriety. Understanding that setbacks and even relapses may be part of the process will keep you from giving up. If you fall, you can accept failure as a temporary condition, learn from the situation, and rededicate yourself to a healthier future.
The Book of Mormon talks about learning as a “line upon line” process (2 Nephi 28:30). This applies to recovery, too.
I Am Worthy of a Good Life
While under the thrall of addiction, you have probably said and done things you’re not proud of. You may be dealing with psychological trauma from past abuse or dealing with mental illness. You may have heard that you’re no good for one reason or another from friends, family, or society in general.
Feelings of unworthiness only hamper your efforts to get sober. A faith-based rehabilitation center can remind you every day that you cannot sink lower than the power of the atonement can extend.
Many of the staff members at rehab centers have faced and defeated their own addictions and are there to guide you to a brighter future. It can be beneficial to step out of your old environment and immerse yourself in a culture of support and acceptance while dealing with your addictions.
Remember that you can design your future selves with the decisions you make now. The atonement makes this possible.
Final Thoughts
You can change your thoughts through repetition and determination. You need to challenge negative thoughts and replace them with the mindset that best supports your goals. By changing your thoughts, you can change the patterns holding you back. By creating new patterns, you can have a healthier, more satisfying life. If you’re ready to change your mindset, contact our Christian treatment centers in Utah and Idaho.