Addiction affects every area of society today. The Christian community is no exception. Currently, the widely accepted treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is detox and 12 Step based residential programs. Many Christians question whether participation in such programs conflicts with their faith in Christ.

The conflict originates in the three-part nature of addiction; physical, emotional and spiritual. The physical issue is the body’s dependence on the addictive substance. The emotional issue is the perceived need for the feeling the substance produces and the ingrained patterns of behavior that develop over time. The spiritual issue originates in distortion of the basic human need for connection to something greater than one’s self. Addicts try to fill this need with drugs and alcohol. Any program that attempts to treat addiction, must address all three components. Therefore, addressing a spiritual issue with a program perceived as secular, raises legitimate questions in the minds of many Christians.

Secular addiction treatment acknowledges that there is a spiritual component to the problem. However, by nature, a secular program can offer no solution to the spiritual issue. The common answer in secular recovery is that one needs to find a power greater than one’s self. The identification of that power is left to the addict’s imagination. In mainstream treatment centers today, there is not a prescribed path to follow in addressing the spiritual side of addiction. The idea that everyone should choose their own path, has become accepted as the only suggestion given. In reality, this is the flaw in otherwise successful programs. The human need to connect with something greater is a very powerful drive. The central question of exactly how to connect, and to what, begs to be answered in a more concrete way.

Into this vacuum, the idea of Christ based addiction treatment was born. Christian substance abuse treatment seeks to use the science behind successful addiction treatment while upholding and protecting the belief that Christ is the only solution to man’s spiritual problem. The physical consequences of addiction are addressed with scientifically researched methods of medical detoxification. The emotional dependence is treated with behavior modification and other therapeutic modalities. The addict is then pointed to Christ as the one who can meet all physical, emotional and spiritual needs. The result is a well-rounded, complete individual who now has the tools needed to live life without dependence on drugs or alcohol.

At first glance, it may seem that addiction treatment and Christianity are in conflict with one another. In reality, faith in Christ supplies a needed solution to treating all of the components of addiction. There is a vague response to spiritual questions provided by secular treatment. The answer is clearly defined in a Christian program. Faith in Christ is God’s intended way to meet man’s need for spiritual connection. The fusion of standard treatment with a Christ-centered worldview, provides a powerful direction for recovery. As it turns out, not only is Christian addiction treatment really Christian, Christian addiction treatment really works.

 

 

Christian Rehab Questions To Ask – http:www.transformationstreatment.com/christian-drug-rehab.html Transformations Treatment Center is located in Delray Beach, Florida and offers a 30 to 90 days drug and alcohol treatment program with one year of free aftercare. Transformations specializes in relapse prevention, life skills training and Christian substance abuse treatment.

 

Proposed Christian substance abuse program on hold

Filed under: christian substance abuse treatment

Wiseman Ministries planned to open the shelter and substance abuse treatment program in the former YWCA building in May. However, Shreveport's Downtown Development Authority contended that the organization's purpose for the building doesn't fit zoning …
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The Therapeutic Community, a Practical Interpretation

Filed under: christian substance abuse treatment

[1] If you want to call your drug treatment program a Therapeutic Community, this paper may give you some ideas and knowledge from a practical point of view, what a TC is. Although I have had first hand experience starting and managing a TC in Newark …
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Deal signs bill requiring drug tests for benefits

Filed under: christian substance abuse treatment

by AP, staff reports Legislation requiring drug tests for some people applying for welfare benefits goes into effect July 1. Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 861 into law Monday. Rep. Christian Coomer, R-Cartersville, said the provisions of the …
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