Is Religion A Necessary Part of Addiction Recovery?

Addiction recovery doesn’t have to include religious elements to be effective. However, spiritual practices can be beneficial to many people in recovery.

Addiction recovery is a vulnerable time in any person’s life. Religion and religious communities provide many of the messages that are important during times of addiction recovery. Phrases such as, “you are important,” “you are still loved,” and “someone is available to help you” can be vital to persevere through recovery. For people who are not religious, turning to religion during addiction recovery may feel inauthentic or undesirable. Fortunately, it is not necessary to be religious to find recovery from substance abuse and addiction issues successfully.

The Role of Religion in Recovery

According tostudiespublished in the National Institute of Health, vast psychiatric and psychological research credits religion as a source of resilience in long-term sobriety. People who have a religious affiliation or describe themselves as “spiritual” are less likely to use drugs orrelapse.

While not everyone is comfortable with it, there are severalbenefits of religionduring addiction recovery, including:

• Faith communities can be supportive and welcoming to people in recovery
• Messages of unconditional love and acceptance are helpful for people in recovery
• Personal faith can provide a moral foundation for new behaviors
• A higher power can be a source of comfort and peace

The founding bodies for the most popular12-step programsthat offer12 steps of recoveryare faith-based. These programs include:

• Alcoholics Anonymous for people who struggle with alcohol addiction
• Narcotics Anonymous for people who struggle with drug addiction
• Al-Anon for the families of people who struggle with alcohol addiction
• Nar-Anon for the families of people who struggle with drug addiction

All four of these programs include steps that refer to a higher power or God. Prayer, meditation and spiritual awakening are also facets of each. Many people — religious or not — have found success and support in such groups and other forms offaith-based rehab.

There are also programs likeSMART Recoverybased on self-help and empowerment. Using non-faith-based programs and secular counselors is a frequent practice in many substance abuse treatment facilities and hospitals. It is possible to findstrength in recoverythrough a variety of messages and support systems, whether or not they are based in religion.

You Can Be Spiritual Without Being Religious

Thejourney to recoveryrequires attention to personal beliefs and values. Addiction is often based in impulsive behavior that overrides intellectual understanding. Whether addiction supports or defies internal belief systems, mental health care providers will help people in recovery better understand their values. A person’sspiritualitywill play a role in their recovery from addiction. Spirituality is not the same thing as religion.

Spirituality vs. Religion in Recovery

Spirituality without religionis more common today than ever before. According to the Pew Research Center,almost 23%of Americans describe themselves asreligiously unaffiliated. In the absence of religious practice, many people still engage in spiritual practices. There are manybenefits of spirituality, including:

• Decreased stress
• Positivity
• Increased health
• Mental wellness
• Increased well-being
• Improved peace of mind

Spirituality in recoveryhas multiple benefits and can help people find peace of mind as they seek a new,sober lifestyle. However, it is not necessary. Everyone’s recovery journey is different: what’s important is to find something that works for each individual.

If you’re interested in taking the first step toward a drug- or alcohol-free life, The Recovery Village can help. With both spiritual and secular treatment options available, our centers offer something for everyone.Reach outto a representative today for more information.