The Spiritual Side of Recovery

Recognizing You Have an Addiction Problem

If we take a close enough look, we all know deep down that we are sinful and have wronged others and our God. It’s so easy, however, to push those past mistakes out of our minds or make excuses for the times we have sinned. We blame others, we minimize the impact of our sins, and we deny we have a problem. Each of us does this in our own lives about our own shortcomings, and it is exactly how many addicts look at their substance abuse.

How many times have you heard an addict blame someone else for getting them started on drugs or alcohol, or for making their life so difficult they continue the addiction? The person might try to make light of the situation and say they don’t really have a problem and can stop whenever they want. Addiction is just a manifestation of sin, and individuals caught up in it often try to cover it up, just as we all try to minimize our own mistakes.

The other way those addicted to drugs or alcohol view their past mistakes is to feel an overwhelming sense of guilt. The person knows they’ve messed up, and just want to isolate themselves from family and friends because they are embarrassed about their condition. Just as we all are burdened by our guilt at times, the addict feels unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness.

The key to overcoming addiction is to, first of all, recognize there is a problem. Most people can’t get over addiction on their own simply by trying harder, and God doesn’t accept our excuses for addiction any more than He accepts our excuses for sin. If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, you need help, plain and simple.

How can you tell if you are really addicted and need help? If you get high or drunk every day, you need help. If your loved ones are concerned about your substance use, you probably need help. If your life has been affected because of your drug or alcohol use and you have experienced financial, legal, relational, or other problems because of it, you need help. If you can’t stop right now and keep yourself from using from 30 days, you need help.

Addiction Reduces Spiritual Connections

One of the most serious consequences of addiction is the need to separate oneself from family, loved ones, and God. The addict will slowly withdraw and stop spending time with family and friends that they know would disapprove of their substance use. The addict will also pull away from God and their religious connections as if they can hide from God Himself. A once strong believer will stop going to church, will become too embarrassed to talk to God, and will stop associating with others in the church. This is when the addict’s life becomes nearly unbearable because they have pushed away from the spiritual connections that once held them close to God and His love. They feel guilty about their past and are afraid they will never be able to face others again. They quickly begin to feel emotions of hopelessness and despair.

While addiction separates a person from God, Christian rehab brings them closer. A broken relationship with God can be repaired because God forgives sins and erases them forever. Focusing on the spiritual side of recovery helps the person make things right with God, which lays the foundation for all other areas of healing. Once the individual understands their past mistakes are forgiven by God and that God has a plan for their lives, they can live in peace and have hope for their future. This aspect of recovery should not be underestimated because it is so powerful for the rest of the person’s life.

Statistics of Religion among Americans

The majority of Americans consider themselves religious or at least believe in God. About three-quarters of Americans identify with a Christian faith, according to the latest Gallup poll. Of those Christian Americans, 37% would classify themselves as highly religious based on self-reports of church attendance and the importance of religion in their lives. Another 30% of Americans are classified as moderately religious, and 33% as not religious at all. Most of the 50 largest religious affiliations of Americans cited are Christian denominations, ranging from the Assembly of God to the United Church of Christ. Added up they show that 53 percent of Americans are Protestants, 22 percent Catholics, and 8 percent other Christians, such as Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses, according to an ABC poll.

Christianity is still a major belief in America today, making the field of Christian drug and alcohol rehab important. Those who have even a basic knowledge of God and the Bible will value the peace that is proclaimed at a faith-based recovery program.

Christian Rehab is for Those Who have Strong Beliefs – and Those Who Do Not

The values that are shared at Christian rehab make it perfect for those who have strong religious beliefs, but it also holds much value even for those who are not religious. The focus on living a renewed life, forgiving past wrongs, and loving all people are universally important values in today’s world and among those searching for a new focus in life. Christian rehab that is based on spiritual principles, as well as clinical treatment methods, is effective for lifelong sobriety.

The Christian addiction rehab program at JC’s Recovery Center utilizes clinical treatment methods that are proven to be effective in the healing of drug and alcohol addiction. Our staff is fully trained in addiction recovery and experienced in the latest therapy models.

Along with the clinical treatment is our spiritual component, and this is where healing of the soul and mind take place. Following the 12 Steps to Recovery, Christian rehab reminds the person that they can rely on the strength of a higher power and gives them tools in the form of Bible studies, meditation, and encouragement from others to grow.

Guilt is an emotion that plagues many recovering addicts because of the harmful things they have said and done to those they love, or the gifts they have wasted because of their focus on drug or alcohol use. Christian treatment helps the addict admit their mistakes, take responsibility for them, and then rejoice in the full forgiveness that sets them on a course to freedom.

Whether you would consider yourself a religious individual or not, Christian rehab can provide you with many benefits on the path to recovery. This type of recovery helps identify the root of addiction, address the guilt and shame associated with it, and most importantly, provides a clear plan for living a sober life, free from guilt and despair. New life in Christ makes sobriety possible, as we get closer to God and learn to follow His will. Contact JC’s Recovery today to learn more about our faith-based programming.