Faith-Based Treatment Programs
Faith-based treatment programs began over seventy years ago with Alcoholics Anonymous and its Twelve-Step program of recovery based on a “Higher Power.”
Studies have shown that among individuals in recovery, higher levels of religious faith and spirituality correlated positively with optimism, greater perceived social support, lower levels of anxiety, and greater resilience in stressful situations. People with religious faith have also been shown to be less likely to be addicted to drugs and alcohol.
The government has taken note and joined forces with faith-based addiction treatment programs. In 2000, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) became the first federal agency through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to become involved with the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
Currently, one-third of federal vouchers made available through the Access to Recovery (ATR) Program have been paid to faith-based treatment programs.
Essential
All major faiths have developed organized addiction treatment programs — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu. Religious faith has been a source of support and encouragement to people struggling with addictions for many years. Many people find that religious faith provides hope that an addict can achieve the healthy lifestyle that he seeks.
