Christian Alcohol Rehab

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Christian alcohol rehab is different from most typical alcoholism rehabilitation methodologies because it points to Jesus Christ as the specific “Higher Power” referred to by the other 12-step recovery protocols such as Alcoholics Anonymous. 

According to the Christian alcohol rehab framework, other rehab approaches 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 relieve them from their dependency.

Christian alcohol rehab does not only focus on people who are alcohol dependent.  Indeed, Christian alcohol rehab also focuses on all types of alcohol abuse such as binge drinking and alcohol overdose.

Alcohol Addiction is Seen as a Physical and a Spiritual Disease

Many, if not most faith-based, Christian alcohol rehab approaches view alcohol addiction as both a physical as well as a spiritual disease.

Just because Christian alcohol rehab approaches stress the centrality of God in the recovery process, however, does not mean that they ignore other important treatment factors.

Indeed, Christian alcohol rehab programs usually utilize the best medical practices, counseling approaches, and behavioral therapies in combination with Biblical scripture in the overall alcohol rehabilitation process.

Christians understand that the mere “belief” is usually not enough to help a person quit abusing alcohol and drugs.  Frequently, Christian alcoholics are suffering from the consequences of legal problems, employment issues, family and relationship difficulties, and/or poor health.  Typically, these situations get progressively worse the more the person continues drinking and abusing alcohol.

To put the alcohol recovery process in perspective, many Christian therapists encourage Christian alcoholics to go to the Bible and look to Job and see how he transcended his suffering and pain in order to develop a deeper relationship with God. Indeed, the alcoholic may not feel innocent and may have deep feelings of guilt and shame, but God is always ready to forgive a person so that he or she can get to the other side of recovery.

Christian Alcohol Detox

Christian detox is the first step in the drug and alcohol abuse recovery process.  Seen as a combination of physical and spiritual components, Christian detox aims to rid the alcoholic’s body of the physical chemicals and his soul of the harmful activities that he or she has undertaken.  For instance, alcoholics who experience excessive withdrawal symptoms can receive great relief through the use of doctor-prescribed medications in the Christian detox process.

Although the alcohol recovery process is not easy, Christian therapists believe that overcoming one’s addiction is possible because God does not give a person more than he or she can handle.

Alcohol Overdose

It is important to note that Christian alcohol rehab facilities do not only treat individuals who are addicted to alcohol.  Indeed, people who abuse alcohol and engage in binge drinking and who experience alcohol poisoning or an alcohol overdose also need professional treatment.

While many people automatically think that alcoholic behavior is the absolute worst alcohol-related behavior in which a person can engage, it is interesting to point out that many people who are not alcohol dependent participate in certain forms of alcohol abuse, such as an alcohol overdose, that are as dangerous and as lethal as any behaviors manifested by alcoholics.

For example, people who partake in a certain form of alcohol abuse known as binge drinking can experience deadly consequences even though they are not alcohol addicted.  More to the point, some people drink excessively only a few times per year.  These individuals, for instance, may get drunk only on their birthdays or on New Year's eve.  While these people are probably not alcoholics, due to the fact that they do not engage in abusive drinking on a regular basis, their bodies are not accustomed to this type of abusive drinking.

Therefore when they do get inebriated, they are prime candidates for an alcohol overdose.  In other words, since their bodies and brains are not accustomed to massive amounts of alcohol and because their bodies cannot metabolize the large amount of alcohol they ingested, their organs and systems may literally stop functioning.  When this happens, the person can lapse into a coma and die.

Due to the seriousness of binge drinking and alcohol overdoses (also known as alcohol poisoning), Christian alcohol rehab facilities have staff that specialize in treating people who exhibit specific forms of alcohol abuse such as an alcohol overdose or alcohol poisoning.

Christian Alcohol Recovery

The problem is that an alcoholic cannot see through the denial and dependency that continue the cycle of abuse.  Christian alcohol recovery helps the addict see through his blinders and admit his powerlessness over the addictive nature of excessive alcohol.  Once this is done, the alcoholic can regain his or her “true nature” and relinquish the suffering, frustration, and pain to God who can heal him and give him hope for an addiction-free life in the near future.

Christian alcohol recovery stresses the need for alcoholics to gain some humility, swallow their pride, start to take “proper action” so that God can meet the addict half way and take him back into His house and restore his life.

The Christian recovery process utilizes the 12-step approach in individual and group counseling sessions, always with an eye on the fact that it is Jesus Christ who is the “higher power.”  Stated differently, Christian alcohol rehab programs are based on Scripture while adhering to the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

While the counselors who are members of Christian alcohol rehab facilities are Christian, it is interesting to point out that some Christian rehab programs employ Christians who are themselves in recovery.

Types of Christian Alcohol Rehab

At least three different types of alcohol rehab are found at Christian alcohol rehab facilities:  inpatient, residential programs; outpatient programs; and day treatment programs.

Residential Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

When a person becomes admitted to residential inpatient treatment, he or she gets educated about the physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences of chronic alcohol abuse.  This educational process is accomplished mainly through workshops, individual therapy, group counseling, and lectures.

Indeed, through all of these educational components, each person is taught how to effectively identify and work through the physical and/or emotional “hot buttons” that usually trigger problem drinking. Stated differently, such a broad-based educational approach helps each person determine and address his or her own unique “relapse warning signs.”

Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

Although not quite as intensive and comprehensive as the inpatient program, Christian outpatient alcohol treatment usually consists of many of the same educational principals and components that are emphasized in the residential treatment program.  Indeed, through group therapy and individual counseling, a person gains insights into the specific high-risk circumstances that challenge their sobriety.  In a word, via outpatient rehab, each individual learns how to deal more effectively with situations that lead to relapse.

Day Treatment Alcohol Rehab

Some Christian alcohol rehab facilities offer a kind of treatment that is somewhat in between the residential and the outpatient options.  Known as “day treatment programs,” this kind of approach is usually targeted for local people who need less structure than the demands made by the residential programs.

People enroll in this type of treatment methodology for a period of four to six weeks and usually attend rehab treatment during normal work hours (9AM to 5PM).  People enrolled in such a program receive the same comprehensive educational training and counseling that the residential clients receive.

Since follow-up counseling and education is so important in the alcohol recovery process, people who have gone through Christian alcohol rehabilitation are encouraged to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in their local areas when they return home.

Christian Alcohol Rehab:  Conclusion

The overall philosophy of Christian alcohol rehab can be summed up in this statement:  through a combination of doctor-prescribed medications, counseling, education, the latest medical treatment, and good old fashion Christian principles, alcoholics, along with God, can conquer their addictive and damaging behavior and restore their lives in His grace.  In short, Christian alcohol rehab helps an alcohol dependent individual become free of the cravings and the destructive thoughts and actions that contradict his or her beliefs.

It must also be pointed out that Christian alcohol rehab programs do not focus entirely on individuals who are alcohol dependent.  Indeed, many people who abuse alcohol, who are binge drinkers, and who have experienced an alcohol overdose are treated by the professional healthcare practitioners at Christian alcohol rehab facilities.

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