Five Reasons to Choose A Faith-Based Rehab Program
This article was written by Horton and published by S2L Recovery
If you or a loved one suffers from drug or alcohol addiction, it can be intimidating to decide upon a course of action. When looking into treatment, individuals and families are left with a difficult question – “Which treatment option would be the most beneficial?” If you or a loved one are seeking treatment, it’s important to weigh all available options.
Many different approaches to recovery are likely to be effective. However, there are teachings central to secular addiction recovery that can hinder one from healing. Incorporating Christian principles into your recovery will not only help you heal from your addiction; these Christian principles will give you newfound direction and purpose in life.
Here are five reasons to choose a Faith-based Christian recovery program:
- Freedom through Christ
- Heal Inwardly and Outwardly
- Rediscover Yourself
- Find Hope
- Support After Treatment
Find Freedom through Christ
Secular treatment facilities teach service recipients (SR’s) about the scientific and psychological components of addiction, but do not directly address its spiritual nature. The methodology of medical addiction recovery often leaves patients feeling hopeless, as if they have no chance of redemption. Secular treatment facilities teach SR’s that addicts have a life long disease for which the only hope is remission. This “disease” is supposedly so powerful that it will pervade the way a recovering person thinks for the duration of their lives. Additionally, those who struggle to stay sober, especially after prior attempts to recover, are subtly taught to see themselves as defective.
Graduates of secular treatment facilities are strongly encouraged to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Here is an excerpt from The Big Book, the foundational text of Alcoholics
Anonymous:
“Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. They are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty.”
At S2L Recovery, we do not believe that people who struggle with addiction are defective. Instead, we believe in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that every person is made in the image of God, including those struggling with addiction. Instead of a life of pursuing mere sobriety, a life centered around faith gives believers the gift of a calling and purpose. A Christ-centered life doesn’t bring about mere remission, it brings about thriving transformation.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, ESV)
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2, ESV)
Heal Inwardly and Outwardly
Coupled with effort and dedication, a faith-based alcohol and drug treatment program can help heal your inner wounds. Issues at the heart of addiction must be addressed in order to achieve long-term recovery. With the help of a Christian drug and alcohol treatment program, this can be accomplished. With counseling sessions in both group and one-on-one settings, SR’s at S2L Recovery are provided with opportunities to address the issues that led to their addictive behaviors. S2L Recovery also has a full medical team, allowing SR’s to receive medical treatment when needed.
We also value physical fitness at S2L Recovery. Our SR’s are able to exercise at a local gym several times a week. Our campuses have weight sets, as well as sizeable properties that are suitable for running or hiking. Entering a Christian-based alcohol and drug rehabilitation center is a surefire way to heal, inwardly as well as outwardly.
Rediscover Yourself
Spiritual beliefs are likely central to your worldview. Faith gives us a clearer perception of ourselves, the world, and its origins. Our opinions and interpretations of the people and circumstances we encounter every day can be positively altered through the view of Christ.
For those suffering from addiction, it is common for faith and hope to be supplanted by cynicism and doubt. At S2L Recovery, countless SR’s have experienced healing and freedom from addiction and past traumas.
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Find Hope
Through Christ, anything is possible. For those suffering from addiction, hope can be the difference between maintaining sobriety and giving up. Achieving short-term goals will give you the hope that you need in order to bring long-term goals to fruition.
The hope of the Gospel is at the heart of everything we teach in our faith-based Christian treatment program. The aim of any treatment program is to imbue its patients with hope, but only faith can give a person true, unwavering hope that can withstand any test or trial.
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, NIV)
Support After Treatment
Essential to any recovery program, a SR should have full support throughout their treatment. But what happens after the program is complete? Does the standard treatment center offer support to the SR’s for the rest of their life? Usually not. Unfortunately, the support offered by secular treatment programs usually ends when a patient completes the program. Faith-based Christian rehab programs offer their SR’s more than lessons about how to maintain sobriety – these programs provide lessons about the Word of God that will follow them throughout their lives, proving to be useful in every circumstance.
After graduation, godly fellowship is essential for continuing sobriety. During your time in treatment, our recovery coaches will help you determine your next steps, taking great care to set you up for success after completing the program. S2L Recovery has an extensive network of alumni spread across the country as well as intimate involvement with several churches. Staff members and counselors are always available to you via phone or text, happy to assist however they can. At S2L Recovery, you will establish genuine lifelong relationships!
A New Life Is Possible
Addiction can take over your life, but you can take life back. A relationship with Christ can be the difference between stumbling blindly through life and following a direct path toward the life God created you to live. You can break free from the chains of addiction!