Faith and Spirituality in Recovery

Faith and spiritual practice can be meaningful parts of recovery for some people. Others find meaning and support through secular paths, and no belief is required to deserve care.

Religion and spirituality can offer ways of understanding life, expressing values and connecting with other people. For some, prayer, ritual or participation in a faith community forms an important part of recovery. For others, these experiences are absent, uncomfortable or associated with harm.

People within the same tradition may understand recovery differently. Secular commitments and communities can also provide meaning and support; they do not have to be called faith to count.

Research supports some particular recovery interventions, including approaches that help people engage with Alcoholics Anonymous. That does not prove that religious belief itself is a treatment, or that a person must believe in order to recover.

Spiritual support can accompany clinical care. It should not require unsafe changes to medicines, substitute for assessment of serious symptoms or oblige someone to forgive abuse, disclose private experiences or remain in a harmful setting. If alcohol dependence may be present, seek medical advice before stopping or substantially reducing drinking. Seizures or severe withdrawal symptoms need emergency help. Discuss stopping or changing a prescribed medicine with the prescriber. If you are in immediate danger, seek emergency help.

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