Christian Rehab

___________________________________________________________

Christian rehab is different from most mainstream alcohol or drug addiction rehab programs because it focuses on Jesus Christ as the specific Higher Power referred to by the various 12-step rehab approaches like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous.

According to Christian rehab therapists, other treatment programs that try to please their non-believing client base are actually doing them a disfavor because they are not clearly articulating that it is God alone who has the power to help them get out of the vicious cycle of dependency, find their way, and help them recover from their addiction.

Dependency is Seen as a Spiritual and a Physical Disease

Many, if not most Christian rehab professionals see alcohol and drug addiction as both a spiritual as well as a physical illness.

Although Christian rehab approaches emphasize the centrality of God in the rehab process, it may be pointed out that this does not mean that they are not conversant with other essential treatment issues.

Indeed, Christian rehab programs usually employ the most up-to-date and productive medical practices, therapeutic procedures, and behavioral methodologies in combination with Biblical scripture in the total treatment process.

Most Christians realize that personal conviction alone is rarely enough to help them refrain from abusing alcohol and drugs.  For the most part, Christians who are dependent on drugs or alcohol are suffering from the effects of alcohol or drug-related employment problems, legal issues, family and relationship difficulties, and/or poor emotional or physical health. 

Often, alcohol and drug-related situations get increasingly worse the more a person continues taking drugs or drinking in an excessive, irresponsible, and hazardous way.

To put the rehab process in a comprehensible perspective, most Christian healthcare professionals encourage individuals who are addicted to alcohol or drugs to look to the Bible in general and specifically to Job to discover how Job rose above his suffering and pain in order to develop a stronger and more substantial relationship with God. 

Moreover, addicts probably feel far from innocent and may have deep-seated feelings of guilt and shame and guilt about their addictive and abusive behavior.  They need, however, to continuously remind themselves that God is always ready to forgive them and help them get to the other side of dependency and start on the road to recovery.

Christian Alcohol and Drug Detoxification

Christian detox is the first step in the Christian alcohol and drug rehabilitation process.  Viewed as a combination of spiritual and physical aspects, Christian detox aims to rid the addicts’ bodies of alcohol and drugs and cleanse their souls from the destructive and unhealthy habits they have developed.

Not only this, but drug addicts or alcoholics who experience excessive withdrawal symptoms can receive major relief through the use of doctor-prescribed medications via the Christian detox methodology.

Although the alcohol or drug rehabilitation process is neither easy nor trouble-free, Christian substance abuse therapists believe that overcoming one’s addiction is possible primarily because God does not give an individual more than he or she can handle.

Christian Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

One of the key problems with dependency is that the addict cannot see through the denial and dependency that bring about the negative cycle of abuse and dependency. 

Christian rehab, it is important to note, helps alcohol and drug abusers and addicts see through their denial and other defense mechanisms and helps them recognize their weakness in recovering from their dependency totally on their own.  Once this is completed, alcohol and drug addicts can then reestablish their “true nature” and relinquish their anguish, frustration, and pain to God who can heal them and give them hope for an addiction-free life in the near future.

Christian rehab emphasizes the need for drug addicts and alcoholics to become more humble, to exhibit less pride, and to undertake spiritual-based behaviors and activities so that God can meet them half way, take them back into His house, and help them reclaim their lives.

Christian rehab not only utilizes the 12-step method when undertaking individual and group counseling, but it always initiates counseling sessions with an emphasis on the fact that it is Jesus Christ who is the Higher Power that is capable of helping the drug and alcohol addict attain recovery.  Stated more concisely, Christian rehab programs are based on Scripture and also grounded on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Even if counselors who are members of Christian alcohol treatment centers are Christian, it is interesting to point out that some Christian rehab programs employ Christians who are also in rehabilitation.

Types of Christian Rehab Treatment

At least three diverse types of treatment are found in Christian rehab programs:  inpatient, residential treatment; outpatient treatment; and day treatment.

Christian Residential Inpatient Rehabilitation

When drug addicts and alcoholics get admitted to Christian residential inpatient therapy, they promptly become aware of the physical, spiritual, and emotional outcomes of alcohol and drug abuse and addiction.  This broad-based educational process is accomplished primarily through workshops, group therapy, lectures, and individual counseling.

Without question, through all of these educational factors, alcohol and drug abusers and addicts are taught how to efficiently identify and process the physical and/or psychological “hot buttons” that commonly result in problem drinking or drug abuse.  Stated differently, such a wide-ranging educational approach helps each substance abuser or addict determine and address his or her own unique relapse warning signs and circumstances.

Outpatient Christian Based Rehab

Although not quite as far-reaching and intensive as the residential, inpatient programs, Christian outpatient rehab typically consists of many of the same educational methodologies and principals that are featured in the residential treatment programs. Indeed, through training, individual counseling, education, and group therapy, drug and alcohol abusers gain insights into the particular problematic situations that challenge their sobriety and keep them from recovery.  In sum, via outpatient Christian rehab, alcoholics and drug addicts learn how to deal more productively with the situations that perpetuate dependency, lead to relapse, and negate the recovery process.

Day Treatment Christian Based Rehab

Various Christian rehab programs offer a treatment methodology that is somewhat in between the outpatient and the inpatient approaches.  Known as “day treatment programs,” these approaches are typically targeted for local Christians who need less structure than the demands made by the outpatient or residential programs.

Drug and alcohol abusers and addicts commonly enroll in this type of treatment program for a period of four to six weeks and frequently attend Christian rehab during normal working hours, from 9AM until 5PM.  Christians who are enrolled in such programs usually receive training, counseling, and education that are similar to what is received by the residential inpatients.

Due to the fact that follow-up counseling, training, and education are so essential for successful recovery, individuals who have completed Christian rehab are encouraged to attend Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in their local areas when they return home.

Christian Rehab:  Conclusion

The basic philosophy of Christian rehab can be recapitulated via the following statement:  through a mixture of education, the most up-to-date medical treatment, counseling, doctor prescribed medications, training, and good old fashioned Christian principles, drug or alcohol abusers and addicts, along with God, can conquer their abusive and addictive behavior and reestablish their lives in His grace. 

In a word, Christian rehab helps drug addicts and alcoholics become free of their destructive cravings and the unhealthy and hazardous thoughts and behaviors that are not in concert with their Christian beliefs.

Please Add Our Website To Your Favorite Bookmarks!

________________________________________________