If you’re thinking about going to rehab at a center like FHE Health, you’re not alone. In 2023, 2.3 million people sought treatment for their alcohol use disorder (AUD). For many people, attending a spiritual rehab program is the key to uncovering the root of their addiction, processing trauma and eventually moving on with their lives.
When you first decide to detox and move away from your addiction, one word you might hear regularly is “spirituality.” You may also hear references to a “higher power.” Spirituality and addiction have a connection, and spirituality can be a strong force to fight and overcome AUD.
Of course, this could be a problem if you’re an agnostic or atheist seeking rehabilitation. The idea of spirituality connected to religion might even drive you away from rehab and detox. However, spirituality isn’t always related to religion.
How the Term Spirituality Will Show Up in Rehab Programs
Most 12-step programs rely on some form of spirituality. Perhaps the best-known saying from Alcoholics Anonymous is “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” This prayer, written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr around 1932, was discovered by one of AA’s first members in a 1941 obituary.
However, Alcoholics Anonymous isn’t strictly a religious rehab program. And you don’t have to believe in a Judeo-Christian creator, Allah or a Hindu deity to look for your spiritual side. Your idea of a higher power could be completely different from that of the other people in your rehab. Whatever your higher power might be, it can help you find calm in times of stress and strength in moments of weakness, enabling you to get outside yourself and put your broader experiences in context.
Why Is Spirituality an Important Aspect of Rehab?
In rehab, you’ll undergo a detox to flush all the drugs and toxins out of your physical body. However, your mind also needs to heal. Spirituality can help individuals recovering from substance use or AUD find the mental strength to not return to their addiction.
Different Views of Spirituality
Spirituality can mean different things to different people. Essentially, it signifies a movement toward soul and spirit and away from material things.
For many people, this connects to their idea of God and how they express their belief, whether they’re Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu or another religion. This is their higher power, and they use their trust in it to help them through the more challenging moments of rehabilitation.
For others, spirituality has nothing to do with a belief in any kind of deity or creator. Spirituality can mean a connection to nature or the universe, something binding all living things together. People define spirituality in a way that has meaning for them.
Benefits of Spirituality
Spirituality can offer many benefits on your recovery journey from addiction. Anyone struggling with addiction knows how it can cripple your sense of confidence and your connection to your family and the world at large. It can also undermine your belief in yourself and your ability to make changes.
Spirituality helps people turn their focus away from their worries and fears and toward the world they live in. Connecting with a higher power can provide strength to help overcome difficult times. Suddenly, you don’t feel alone anymore — instead, you believe a higher power can guide you, offer support and show you the path toward a healthier lifestyle.
This can also help you build a community outside of rehab. Once you graduate from your program, you could start visiting your local church, mosque or synagogue or join a spiritual community that practices Reiki or crystal healing. Building a community of caring, supportive friends can help you stay occupied and reduce your risk of relapse.
How Do You Find a Spiritual Rehab Program?
An easy way to begin your journey to find a spiritual rehab program is by performing a Google search for “Jewish rehab centers” or “Christian rehab centers” in your area. If you belong to a faith group, you could ask other members to recommend a facility.
Once you’ve found a few programs, review the websites to learn more about their offerings. Religion-based rehab centers usually describe their faith and the ways they incorporate it into their program. Some might offer religious services on campus or invite religious leaders to give talks and meet with program participants.
If you can’t find details on a facility’s website, try calling the center to ask about their spiritual services. Many programs don’t endorse a particular religion but offer spiritual activities, such as prayer or meditation. These calls are usually confidential, so feel free to tell them about your needs and discuss possible accommodations.
You could also check out the program’s social media profiles or read reviews on third-party sites. Current or former participants usually provide honest feedback because they’re not trying to recruit anyone.
Some facilities offer tours where you can ask questions in person. Consider signing up for a tour so you can discuss spirituality and inquire about the on-site religious activities offered, such as prayer or worship services or scripture studies.
Why Spirituality Shouldn’t Be a Barrier to Getting Help
However you define it, spirituality can play a valuable role in recovery. The idea of focusing on something outside yourself can help you put your own life in perspective. This is true whether your belief in spirituality involves religion or just a greater connection to nature.
Spirituality can help with recovery in several ways, including:
- Healing. Spirituality can help you heal from past mistakes. It involves forgiveness, including forgiving yourself and reconnecting with family, friends and others.
- Strength. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting when you first enter rehab. Some days, it takes a lot just to move forward. Spirituality can provide inner strength to help you overcome these difficult periods.
- Gratitude. People with addictions who observe a spiritual practice, whether religious or nonreligious, often discover they’re more grateful for their lives as they progress through recovery. This sense of gratitude plays a crucial role in the recovery journey.
- Purpose. It’s not unusual to feel lost and uncertain about where to turn during the early stages of recovery. Spirituality offers a way to focus on something besides yourself and find a sense of purpose. As you help others, you can build your confidence and belief in yourself.
Begin Your Rehab Journey Today
If you’re dealing with a substance or alcohol use disorder and know it’s destroying your belief in yourself, your relationships with family members or your work life, we’re here to help. Our compassionate team of counselors at FHE Health is standing by 24-7 to take your call. Contact us today to learn more about our programs.
