Christian Based Rehab

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Christian based rehab is different from most traditional drug or alcohol dependency rehab programs because it points to Jesus Christ as the specific Higher Power referred to by the other 12-step rehab methodologies such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

According to Christian based rehab professionals, other treatment protocols that try to please their client base who are non-believers are actually doing their members a disservice because they are not stating that it is God alone who has the power to help them find their way, get out of the vicious cycle of addiction, and alleviate them from their dependency.

Dependency is Seen as a Physical and a Spiritual Illness

Many, if not most Christian based rehab approaches view alcohol and drug dependency as both a physical and a spiritual disease.

Just because Christian based rehabilitation protocols stress the centrality of God in the treatment process, it may be pointed out, does not mean that they ignore other important treatment issues. Without a doubt, Christian based rehab programs almost always use the most current and effective medical practices, therapeutic methods, and behavioral approaches in combination with Biblical scripture in the total rehab process.

Most Christians understand that belief alone is usually not enough to help them abstain from abusing drugs or alcohol.  By and large, Christian individuals who are dependent on alcohol or drugs are in distress from the consequences of drug or alcohol-related legal difficulties, problems at work, family and relationship issues, and/or poor mental or physical health. Frequently, these drug and alcohol-related circumstances get progressively worse the more an individual continues drinking or taking drugs in an abusive and hazardous manner.

To put the rehab process in an understandable framework, most Christian counselors encourage people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol to look to the Bible in general and to Job in particular and see how Job transcended his anguish and pain in order to develop a deeper relationship with God. In truth, addicts probably feel far from innocent and may have deep-seated feelings of shame and guilt, but they need to constantly remind themselves that God is always ready to forgive them so that they can get to the other side of addiction and start on the road to recovery.

Christian Drug and Alcohol Detoxification

Christian detox is the first step in the Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation process.  Seen as a combination of physical and spiritual aspects, Christian detox aims to rid the addicts’ bodies of their drugs or alcohol and cleanse their souls from the damaging and unhealthy actions they have developed. Not only this, but alcoholics or drug addicts who experience severe withdrawal symptoms can receive substantial relief through the utilization of doctor-prescribed medications via the Christian detox approach.

Although the drug or alcohol rehab process is not trouble-free, Christian healthcare professionals think that overcoming one’s dependency is possible primarily because God does not give a person more than he or she can handle.

Christian Based Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

One of the major problems with addiction is that the addict cannot see through the denial and dependency that perpetuate the negative cycle of abuse and addiction. 

Christian based rehab helps addicts see through their denial and other defense mechanisms and helps them acknowledge their weakness in recovering from their addiction totally on their own.  Once this is accomplished, addicts can then re-establish their “true nature” and give up their agony, disappointment, and pain to God who can heal them and give them hope for a dependency-free life in the near future.

Christian based rehab stresses the need for alcoholics and drug addicts to become more humble, to become less proud, and begin to take scripture-based action so that God can meet them half way and take them back into His house and restore their lives.

Christian based rehab not only uses the 12-step method when engaging in group and individual counseling, but it always conducts counseling sessions with a focus on the fact that it is Jesus Christ who is the Higher Power that is capable of helping the addict achieve recovery.  Stated in a different way, Christian based rehab programs are based on Scripture while also grounded in the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

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

Types of Christian Based Rehab Treatment

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

Christian Residential Inpatient Rehabilitation

When alcoholics and drug addicts get admitted to Christian residential inpatient therapy, they quickly become aware of the psychological, physical, and spiritual consequences of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.  This comprehensive educational process is accomplished mainly through individual therapy, workshops, lectures, and group counseling.

Undeniably, through all of these educational components, drug and alcohol abusers and addicts are taught how to effectively identify and work through the physical and/or emotional “hot buttons” that often lead to problem drinking or drug abuse.  Stated differently, such a broad-based educational approach helps each addict or substance abuser determine and address his or her own unique relapse warning signs and situations.

Outpatient Christian Based Rehab

Although not nearly as intensive and comprehensive as the inpatient, residential programs, Christian outpatient rehab usually consists of many of the same educational principals and components that are emphasized in the residential treatment programs.

Indeed, through group counseling, training, education, and individual therapy, alcohol and drug abusers and addicts gain insights into the specific problematic circumstances that challenge their sobriety. In a word, via outpatient Christian based rehab, each individual learns how to deal more effectively with the situations that lead to relapse, perpetuate addiction, and negate the recovery process.

Day Treatment Christian Based Rehab

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

People enroll in this type of treatment program for a period of four to six weeks and usually attend Christian based rehab during normal work hours, from 9AM until 5PM.  Individuals who are enrolled in such programs typically receive counseling, education, and training that is similar to what is received by the residential clients.

Since follow-up training, education, and therapy are so crucial to successful recovery, people who have gone through Christian based rehab are encouraged to attend Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings in their local areas when they go back home.

Christian Based Rehab:  Conclusion

The essential philosophy of Christian based rehab can be summarized in the following statement:  through a mixture of doctor prescribed medications, counseling, education, training, the latest medical treatment, and good old fashioned Christian principles, individuals who are drug or alcohol dependent, along with God, can conquer their addictive and destructive behavior and reclaim their lives in His grace. 

To put it briefly, Christian based rehab helps alcoholics and drug addicts become free of their dangerous cravings and the hazardous and unhealthy thoughts and actions that contradict their Christian beliefs.

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