Fresh Wind
Recovery Ministry
It’s not easy for anyone to acknowledge and fight addiction or other mental health issues. And an even more challenging dynamic comes into play when handling Christian addiction recovery. For instance, someone who considers themselves religious might have difficulty making sense of their addiction and their struggle with quitting. Such people can find faith-based centers to allow their religious beliefs to grow even as they walk the recovery journey.
Religion tends to have a therapeutic effect on mental health patients. There is no denying that people often turn to their faith searching for solace and support during difficult times. Some will even lean more on faith than on family and friends. Religion and spirituality are helpful to people dealing with stressors such as severe mental illness.
Some religious and spiritual coping methods include seeking divine intervention from God and seeking support from a religious institution. Both ways are contextually relevant in cases of Christian addiction recovery.
Through religion and spirituality, individuals can access coping skills regardless of their financial, social, or cognitive circumstances — besides, religion and spirituality advocate for healthy lifestyle practices, such as moderation in all things. Through the social support that comes with affiliation to religion and spirituality, one can develop cognitive frameworks to help them during difficult situations.
Psychologists tended to veer away from religion and spirituality in clinical practice in the past. However, it's more recently understood that there is a middle ground between the two. Psychologists are now developing integrated approaches. These include programs to help drug abusers reconnect to their higher selves. Other practice standards in therapy, such as meditation, hope, and acceptance, are deep-rooted in religion and spirituality.
A renewed sense of purpose is essential to successful addiction recovery. Without it, someone walking the recovery journey might end up feeling meaningless once they try sobriety, which might trigger a relapse. In essence, spirituality is a sense of connection to something bigger than oneself. Embracing spirituality encourages adherents to look within and understand themselves. It also means exploring one’s purpose in the world. As a result, one embraces healthy practices for the mind and soul, aligning with addiction recovery.
Although there are not so many studies revolving around religion and sobriety, the few that exist are affirmative. For instance, the recovery journey is usually full of uncertainties. When battling such feelings, looking up to God or a higher power can help. Religion also encourages people to remain teachable and cherish the little things, which are essential principles in addiction recovery. There is also much room for further research, which will define the practice. For instance, there is still much ground to be covered on whether one’s denomination has anything to do with recovery.
It’s important to acknowledge that even as one incorporates religion and spirituality in their recovery journey, they also need to be dedicated to other treatment methods. For more information about how religion and spirituality can work for you during your recovery, contact Fresh Wind Recovery today.
Fresh Wind
Recovery Ministry
Fresh Wind Recovery Ministry
8780 Macon Hwy, Athens, GA 30606
Mailing Address:
1860 Barnett Shoals Rd, Suite 103 Box 569, Athens, GA 30605
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