The help of a Christian drug counseling facility can make a life saving difference for anyone who is struggling with the serious challenges of addiction. Both faith based and secular facilities share the same goals of helping an individual who is addicted to drugs to find recovery and leave painful and dangerous addictions behind. But the Biblical emphasis and spiritual components that faith based organizations bring to the table can add a whole new dimension for patients and their families. The belief that there is both hope and strength to be found in Jesus Christ is something that counselors share with those who are seeking treatment. A faith in God that is combined with sound clinical practices can bring the best of both worlds to individuals of faith who are struggling with a addiction. The programs that a Christian drug counseling facility features will offer a combination of scriptural foundation as well as information on healthy lifestyles, life skills, and dealing with issues such as depression and addictive behaviors. With an approach that looks at the whole person, many facilities are able to offer programs that deal with emotional and spiritual components as well as mental and physical ones. Recovering from an addiction is all about healing and changing destructive patterns. By offering counseling and therapy that holds the Bible as the final authority, Christian programs add a dimension of faith to the recovery process.
Often a Christian drug counseling program will incorporate the characteristics of the traditional twelve step programs. The difference between a secular twelve step program and a more faith based approach will center on the Biblical background that is applied to each step. For example, if step one of the program stresses the fact that the individual is powerless to change without help, Bible verses that direct the addict to God Himself as the ultimate source of help and deliverance will be applied. Having acknowledged God as the source of help, the patient will then be shown Biblical passages that explain the need to turn life over to God. Other steps such as taking an accounting of life and making amends to those who the addict has hurt are also based in Biblical truth. After recovery, a pattern of continually taking a moral accounting and making things right with those who have been offended will be usually be stressed as well. Continually seeking the help of God through prayer and study of the scriptures is also important. Once an addict is recovered and has regained a sense of strength, most Christian drug counseling programs will recommend that the recovered addict reach out to others who are struggling with addictions.
Many Christian drug counseling facilities and services will also offer consultation services for the family and loved ones of addicted individuals. One of the first steps that an addict will usually need to undergo is the detox process. Drugs that have built up in the body need to work be dealt with under skilled professional care. A cold turkey detox that is attempted independently and without trained medical help can be very painful and difficult. Withdrawal symptoms can even be dangerous and life threatening. For this reason, detox should generally not be attempted without medical supervision. Most recovering addicts will also benefit from both group and individual counseling. Many Christian drug counseling facilities will offer both out patient and residential treatment options. These programs may encompass group therapy, life skills classes, and health education. Anger management and parenting classes may be available as well, Once a patient has completed treatment, various aftercare options can help the patient to stay on the right track and avoid the pitfalls that could lead a return to their previous lifestyle. The Bible encourages all believers to give their heavy burdens to God and to trust Him for the strength to survive and thrive. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22)
The family and loved ones of addicts are not forgotten at most Christian drug counseling facilities. In many cases, a loved one may have taken on a codependent role with an addict. If this is the case, help and counsel will be needed for the family members and close friends of the patient. When a loved one finds that they have basically given up their own life to meet the needs of the individual who is dependent on drugs, they are usually part of a codependency pattern. Some of the signs of codependency may include doing things for another person that the addict should be completely capable of doing for themselves, making excuses for the addict or being willing to give money to the addicted individual when they know that this is not wise.
Codependency can be a particular problem for Christian families. Many wives, husbands, parents, and siblings may believe that their faith requires that they always support the addict out of a sense of unconditional love. A Christian drug counseling professional can help families to recognize these destructive patterns. Choosing to set real boundaries and stick to them can be very difficult when a beloved family member is suffering. Counselors can help families not only find the strength, but the motivation to make the tough choices that may be required when dealing with an addict. The support of professionals in this field can help individuals leave addictive behavior behind and begin a new life.
Often a Christian drug counseling program will incorporate the characteristics of the traditional twelve step programs. The difference between a secular twelve step program and a more faith based approach will center on the Biblical background that is applied to each step. For example, if step one of the program stresses the fact that the individual is powerless to change without help, Bible verses that direct the addict to God Himself as the ultimate source of help and deliverance will be applied. Having acknowledged God as the source of help, the patient will then be shown Biblical passages that explain the need to turn life over to God. Other steps such as taking an accounting of life and making amends to those who the addict has hurt are also based in Biblical truth. After recovery, a pattern of continually taking a moral accounting and making things right with those who have been offended will be usually be stressed as well. Continually seeking the help of God through prayer and study of the scriptures is also important. Once an addict is recovered and has regained a sense of strength, most Christian drug counseling programs will recommend that the recovered addict reach out to others who are struggling with addictions.
Many Christian drug counseling facilities and services will also offer consultation services for the family and loved ones of addicted individuals. One of the first steps that an addict will usually need to undergo is the detox process. Drugs that have built up in the body need to work be dealt with under skilled professional care. A cold turkey detox that is attempted independently and without trained medical help can be very painful and difficult. Withdrawal symptoms can even be dangerous and life threatening. For this reason, detox should generally not be attempted without medical supervision. Most recovering addicts will also benefit from both group and individual counseling. Many Christian drug counseling facilities will offer both out patient and residential treatment options. These programs may encompass group therapy, life skills classes, and health education. Anger management and parenting classes may be available as well, Once a patient has completed treatment, various aftercare options can help the patient to stay on the right track and avoid the pitfalls that could lead a return to their previous lifestyle. The Bible encourages all believers to give their heavy burdens to God and to trust Him for the strength to survive and thrive. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22)
The family and loved ones of addicts are not forgotten at most Christian drug counseling facilities. In many cases, a loved one may have taken on a codependent role with an addict. If this is the case, help and counsel will be needed for the family members and close friends of the patient. When a loved one finds that they have basically given up their own life to meet the needs of the individual who is dependent on drugs, they are usually part of a codependency pattern. Some of the signs of codependency may include doing things for another person that the addict should be completely capable of doing for themselves, making excuses for the addict or being willing to give money to the addicted individual when they know that this is not wise.
Codependency can be a particular problem for Christian families. Many wives, husbands, parents, and siblings may believe that their faith requires that they always support the addict out of a sense of unconditional love. A Christian drug counseling professional can help families to recognize these destructive patterns. Choosing to set real boundaries and stick to them can be very difficult when a beloved family member is suffering. Counselors can help families not only find the strength, but the motivation to make the tough choices that may be required when dealing with an addict. The support of professionals in this field can help individuals leave addictive behavior behind and begin a new life.
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