Using the Power of Faith to Support Recovery
For some people, the choice to enter an addiction rehabilitation facility begins with a crisis. For others, the decision starts quietly, with a whisper of hope or a moment of clarity. But regardless of how that first step is taken, healing requires more than just physical detox—it demands emotional strength, mental resilience, and often, a deeper sense of purpose. This is where faith might become a powerful companion.
Whether rooted in traditional religious beliefs or shaped by personal spiritual practices, faith offers many people a lifeline—a way to make sense of suffering, to stay grounded through life’s storms, and to hold onto hope when the path gets rough. When you’re choosing recovery, it’s not just about belief in a higher power. It’s about reconnecting with meaning, values, and the inner strength to move forward.
A Foundation of Hope
According to the World Population Review (WPR), more than 80% of all individuals on earth identify with some type of faith-based doctrine. The organization outlines them this way, which we provide verbatim:
- Christianity – 2.38 billion
- Islam – 1.91 billion
- Hinduism – 1.16 billion
- Buddhism – 507 million
- Folk Religions – 430 million
- Other Religions – 61 million
- Judaism – 14.6 million
- Unaffiliated – 1.19 billion
“A significant number of people—nearly 1.2 billion worldwide—remain nonreligious or have Atheist beliefs,” the organization states.
In the WPR estimation, folk religions generally refer to “traditional African religions, Chinese folk religions, and both Native American and Australian aboriginal religions,” while other religions encompass “tracks smaller faiths such as Shintoism, Taoism, Sikhism, and Jainism.”
For people affiliated with a particular path, these beliefs often provide comfort, direction, and a sense of belonging. In the context of addiction recovery, faith can serve as a stabilizing force, offering a framework for understanding one’s struggles and hope for a path forward.
And that’s probably the most important factor to remember about using faith in addiction recovery: it only works if you find value in it. Many people choose to remain unaffiliated with religion or spirituality, and they also heal and have a successful recovery. So there’s no “right” or “wrong”: only what’s best for you.
The Role of Faith in Healing
One comprehensive study highlights both sides of the issue: “Although negative experiences with religion (e.g., clergy sex abuse and other horrendous examples) have been a contributory factor to substance abuse among some victims, given that more than 84% of scientific studies show that faith is a positive factor in addiction prevention or recovery and a risk in less than 2% of the studies reviewed, we conclude that religion and spirituality are exceptionally powerful, integral, and indispensable resources in substance abuse prevention and recovery; faith plays a key role in treating the mind, body, and spirit.”
So, how might some form of faith help you manage symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) more successfully? Consider the most common examples you’re likely familiar with—Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous, and other 12-Step peer support programs. Once rooted predominantly in Christianity, AA and other anonymous 12-Step efforts are now keen to encourage people of all faiths—as well as those who remain unaffiliated—to use the Steps and Traditions as listed, focusing on the intention behind them, even if certain words don’t apply to individuals.
Similarly, but with a more deliberate focus, Celebrate Recovery adapts the 12-Step framework through the lens of Christian teachings, offering “a Christ-centered, 12-Step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain, or addiction of any kind.”
The Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN) supports Jewish individuals by reducing stigma and promoting early treatment for substance use disorders, fostering a faith-aligned approach to recovery. “Through partnerships, community-building, outreach, and education, we are helping Jewish communities better understand substance use disorder, as well as the power of Jewish traditions and wisdom in providing comfort and guidance,” JAAN states.
There’s also the Buddhist Recovery Network, which integrates Buddhist teachings such as mindfulness and compassion into the recovery process. These programs provide a secular yet spiritually enriching path to healing, emphasizing personal growth and self-awareness.
At the core of these and other faith-based mutual aid support programs is community, where individuals can share their experiences and draw strength from one another. Knowing you can rely on this foundation makes it easier to create a sense of purpose in recovery.
Seabrook: Healing Body, Mind, and Soul
Remember, recovery isn’t just about overcoming addiction—it’s about rediscovering yourself and embracing a future filled with hope and possibility. Our four award-winning treatment centers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are CARF-accredited facilities—a designation that ensures best practices in evidence-based addiction recovery and behavioral health. Our Seabrook Model incorporates both 12-Step principles of recovery as well as proven holistic modalities to provide you with full access to individualized care that works for you. Let’s start a conversation—contact our admission team anytime, day or night.
