Faith-Based or Christian Rehab Centers

While evidence-based treatment remains the most effective way to achieve a lasting recovery from addiction, many may seek to supplement treatment with programs based in faith or spirituality. These programs may be offered as a supplemental program at a treatment facility, and focus on implementing tenants of religion into addiction treatment in order to foster recovery. Understanding what a faith-based addiction treatment program can offer and how to find rehabs that offer these programs can be helpful in achieving recovery.

What Are Faith-Based Addiction Treatment Programs?

Faith-based addiction treatment centers combine traditional clinical support and evidence-based therapies with Christian values to help people in their recovery from substance misuse or addiction. Christian-based rehabs may also use Biblical principles and teachings to help guide recovery.

Some facilities focus on Christian principles, and some rehabs are faith-based or have a spiritual component without being specific to Christianity or other religions.

For many people, spiritual practices at faith-based treatment centers help them to feel connected to something bigger and provide a sense of meaning and purpose. Spirituality is a broad term that isn’t necessarily associated with one religion and can include many perspectives.²

In spiritually-based addiction treatment programs, there is an emphasis on connecting to something bigger, often referred to as a “higher power.” This is particularly evident in 12-step recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), in which believing in a power greater than oneself is thought to help people maintain sobriety.³ 

Learn more about the AA Big Book and 12 Promises.

Benefits of Choosing a Christian or Faith-Based Rehab Center

Choosing to enter any addiction treatment program is a courageous first step toward recovery. For many people, seeking Christian drug rehabs and other faith-based rehab programs may help them feel more connected to their faith while in the recovery process. It may also provide a safe environment to continue practicing their spiritual beliefs during treatment.

Potential benefits of choosing Christian-based alcohol and drug rehabilitation may include:

• Community support from like-minded staff and people in treatment.
• Therapy from Christian counselors.
• Receiving Biblical teaching and inspiration.
• An emphasis on forgiveness.
• Prayer and support.

Services Available in Faith-Based Treatment Centers

Christian rehabs or religious rehab centers are designed to treat the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of a person in recovery to help them heal and recover from substance misuse and addiction. Like other types of addiction treatment, effective faith-based recovery programs are those that treat the whole person and their needs, including:⁴

• Medical.
• Psychological.
• Social.
• Vocational.
• Legal.

Christian rehab facilities typically provide many of the same services and amenities as other recovery programs with an emphasis on Christian principles. Services included in various religious treatment programs may include:⁴

• Behavioral therapies.
• Medication (for recovery from certain substances).
• Co-occurring mental healthcare and support.
• Aftercare and relapse prevention.

Levels of Care in Christian Rehabs

Many addiction treatment services are offered in both inpatient and outpatient settings.⁴ There are also inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities focused on faith-based programs. You may choose a 28- or 30-day program or a longer 60-day or 90-day stay. The following sections discuss various types of Christian rehabs or faith-based rehabs to consider.

Christian Detox Center

For some people, recovery starts with detoxification, a process in which the body rids itself of substances.⁴ Not everyone will need detox services, however, some substances, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines can lead to potentially dangerous or uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. In these cases, detox services are important as they can help keep a person as comfortable and safe as possible during this challenging time and address any complications that may arise. Detox can also help facilitate the transition into ongoing treatment, such as an inpatient or outpatient Christian rehab center.⁴

Faith-Based or Christian Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab is where a person remains in the facility overnight to receive 24-hour support and medical attention, depending on the person’s level of care.⁴

These levels of faith-based inpatient rehab can include:⁵

• Inpatient residential services: These can include clinically managed or medically monitored care at various intensities with 24-hour care.
• Medically-managed intensive inpatient services: Involves 24-hour care and attendance by nurses and physicians for people with severe/acute addiction-related problems and co-occurring conditions.

Faith-Based or Christian Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient treatment typically includes various services for people who visit the facility daily or weekly depending on their level of care and needs. Depending on the facility, Christian outpatient drug rehab can include behavioral counseling, detox, 12-step facilitation, and medication.⁶

Outpatient levels of care can include:⁶

• Intensive outpatient program: 9 or more hours a week of treatment.
• Partial hospitalization program: 20 or more hours a week of treatment that doesn’t necessitate 24-hour care.

What Types of Therapies Are Offered in Faith-Based Drug Rehabs and Christian Treatment Centers?

Faith-based drug rehabs and Christian treatment centers offer several behavioral therapies to help address people’s attitudes toward substance use, encourage healthy life skills, and continue treatment and recovery for the long term.

Some of the common behavioral therapies (used alone or in combination with medications) used in spiritual treatment centers are:⁴

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Designed to modify harmful beliefs and behaviors.
• Contingency management (CM) or motivational incentives (MI): Voucher- or prize-based to encourage a person in recovery and reinforce positive behaviors and decisions.
• Motivational enhancement therapy (MET): Counseling that helps people overcome feelings of resistance toward treatment and stopping substance use.
• 12-Step facilitation groups (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous / Narcotics Anonymous): Groups that help people connect with others struggling with addiction to encourage sobriety and recovery.
• Family therapy: Designed to address co-occurring problems related to family conflict and other disorders. This typically involves the recovering person and a person in their family or who they cohabitate with.

What to Look for in Faith-Based or Christian-Based Rehab Centers and Mental Health Facilities

When searching for a Christian rehab program or another type of faith-based recovery program, it’s important to consider the treatment center’s philosophy and values. Ensuring the values align with yours may help you feel more at ease when receiving care.

As with other types of treatment, it’s important to find a Christian-based drug rehab center that tailors treatment to your individual needs and level of care. Factors that may help you choose a faith-based or Christian drug and alcohol rehab include:

• Types of treatment offered such as detox, inpatient services, and outpatient programs.
• Cost of rehab (the cost of luxury or executive rehab centers will be higher).
• Payment options (sliding scale, grants, scholarships, financing).
• Types of behavioral therapies offered and if counselors are aligned with your belief system.
• Faith-based support groups.
• Credentials and certifications of treatment professionals and the treatment facility.
• Aftercare planning.
• Treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions.

How Do I Find Faith-Based Treatment Centers or Christian Rehab Centers Near Me?

When searching for faith-based or Christian rehab centers near you, it’s important to look for rehab facilities that align with your beliefs and offer services that meet your needs. To find the right spiritual addiction treatment program, here are a few tips:

• Speak to your doctor about your struggles with substance use and ask for suggestions on where to receive treatment.
• If you are part of a faith community, speak with a trusted advisor or person in that community who can offer support and suggestions about Christian addiction treatment.
• Contact faith-based treatment centers to discuss options.

Want assistance with your search? American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help in several ways. We are a leading addiction treatment provider with top rehab facilities nationwide. Two of our facilities, Green House Treatment Center and Oxford Treatment Center offer Christian-based rehab programs that combine evidence-based care with Christian principles.

You can also find a faith-based rehab using our directories tool, which allows you to search rehabs and filter by criteria such as insurance, location, and more. It’s never too late to start the path to recovery. To learn more contact us at to speak to a caring admissions navigator about your treatment options. We can help you find treatment, verify your insurance coverage, and more.