Can You Benefit From Christian Drug Or Alcohol Rehab If You're Agnostic?

Whether you grew up in the church and have fallen away in recent years or have always self-identified as agnostic or atheist, you probably don't give much thought to seeking out religious programs or gatherings at this point in your life. However, if you're struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and feel you've hit rock bottom, you may find that many of the rehabilitation centers available in your area seem to cater to those who desire a religious component to their recovery process. Can you gain valuable self-insight and help for your addiction by going here even if you aren't Christian yourself? Read on to learn more about the treatment options offered by Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers to help decide if this treatment path is right for you. 

Can Christian drug or alcohol rehab provide benefits for those who are unaffiliated with a religion?

Making the decision to seek treatment for an addiction that is impacting your health and relationships is a tremendous first step in your recovery process. However, investing time and money into a treatment center that doesn't "click," for whatever reason, can be frustrating and set back your recovery for months or even years. As a result, you may be nervous about seeking treatment at a Christian center for fear the religious aspects will turn you off and make you less committed to recovery.

Most Christian drug and alcohol treatment centers combine state-of-the-art medical treatments with Christian-centered counseling and therapy in both an individual and group setting. Depending upon the severity of your addiction and the frequency with which you've consumed drugs or alcohol prior to seeking treatment, you may need a few days of observation and treatment by a physician until the detoxification process is complete and the drug is out of your system. This process won't usually have an overt Christian component, although you may have access to chaplain services while you're going through the physical and mental discomfort of detox.

After you've detoxed and are no longer physically addicted, your next step will be to tackle your psychological addiction -- as well as any other mental or emotional issues that may have caused you to overuse drugs or alcohol in the first place. You'll be able to have one-on-one counseling sessions with an addictions counselor who can help you ferret out the issues leading to your addiction and give you tools (including prayer, meditation, or Bible study) to help combat them or keep yourself from falling off the wagon during a time your cravings seem overwhelming. 

Many recovering from addiction, even those who don't identify as Christian, can find some comfort in the idea of a loving higher power -- particularly when the aftermath of an addiction has led to fallings-out with friends and family members. If you're not sure you can find the strength within yourself to fight your addiction, you may want to investigate Christian treatment centers that can provide you with the physical and emotional support of an entire church community.

What should you look for in a Christian drug or alcohol treatment center? 

When seeking a treatment provider, it's important to ensure all affiliated psychologists and psychiatrists are properly licensed and trained. Licensing by the state confers a number of rights and responsibilities, and through continuing education (CE) courses and enforcement of legal and ethical regulations, states can ensure that all licensed mental health professionals are providing valuable services to their patients. Going through an unlicensed drug or alcohol rehab facility may mean that the mental health counselors treating you aren't up-to-speed on changes in psychological treatment methods or guidelines. 

Drug and alcohol counselors nationwide can receive certification in their treatment specialties through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP). Many states require NCC AP licensing in order for counselors to be able to hold themselves out as addiction treatment specialists. In addition to these requirements, those seeking to become Christian drug and alcohol counselors are required to undertake some additional steps to receive the Christian Drug, Alcohol, and Addictions Counselor certification. Before placing a deposit on a rehab facility, you'll want to check the certifications of the counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists employed by the center. 

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