Methodist Drug And Alcohol Rehab Centers

Medically reviewed by

Brenda Munnerlyn, RN, BSN

March 4, 2019

What Is Methodist Drug And Alcohol Rehab?

As a branch of Protestantism, Methodist churches may vary in how they deliver services, but all agree on four crucial points: all need to be saved from original sin, all can be saved by universal salvation, all can know they are saved, and all can be saved completely.

These fundamentals beliefs are likely to be crucial in Methodist drug and alcohol rehab centers. As a faith-based rehab facility, these centers will likely incorporate the standard measures of substance abuse treatment, while also addressing questions of faith and salvation.

The drug and alcohol rehab center is likely to be inpatient, meaning the person will stay overnight and receive around the clock, 24-hour care.

There is also likely to be an undertone of faith in most rehabilitation activities, but an effective rehab center will also utilize the standard techniques of drug treatment programs.

Drug treatment programs may include medically supervised detoxification, medication-assisted therapy, and a variety of behavioral therapies, many of which may include an aspect of faith or prayer.

Methodist drug and alcohol rehab centers may be a good option for people suffering from addiction with strong Christian beliefs and convictions.

Faith is an important part of healing and recovery, and some studies have shown that a higher belief, or spiritual purpose, can help a person engage in treatment, remain sober after treatment, and live a balanced and productive life.

While faith can be an important part during the recovery process, it’s important for people to first acknowledge they have a problem, and then find the courage to seek help – addiction, and the road to recovery through faith, is a deeply personal struggle.

The Personal Struggle Of Drug And Alcohol Addiction

A person within the Methodist church likely understands that, although they may be struggling, they can be saved by their faith. Some people may be strong enough to beat addiction with the power of faith on their own, without treatment.

But, the unfortunate truth is most people fail to stop using drugs or alcohol in the long-term; addiction is a lifelong disease, and like any disease, requires routine treatment and medical assistance.

For many people, church, faith, and God are also crucial elements to achieving long-term freedom from drug and alcohol addiction. However, it’s critical to understand that drug and alcohol addiction changes a person’s brain in fundamental ways.

These brain changes affect a person’s behavior and control when it comes to drugs or alcohol.

Addiction may affect relationships, performance at work, and family life. People addicted to drugs or alcohol are likely to continue to use the drug despite obvious harm to themselves or others.

The goal of Methodist drug and alcohol rehab centers is likely to address these psychological changes, while also acknowledging the personal struggle of addiction in each individual.

Like faith, addiction is a deeply personal experience. In order for any treatment to work, the individual must approach it with an open mind and willingness to get better. For Methodists, a faith-based treatment is likely to be the best course of action because they will enter rehab with something to believe in – their faith and duty to God can help them achieve sobriety.

While the treatment of addiction is heavily based in science and medicine, the long-term process of healing and recovery is likely aided by faith and prayer.

Healing Through Prayer

In the scientific community, praying is considered a form of meditation. Research has shown that meditation can be beneficial for both mental and physical health.

Meditation, and potentially prayer, may improve:

• blood pressure
• immune system
• heart rate
• levels of anxiety
• positive feelings
• self-esteem
• stress level

In some studies, spiritual healing like prayer has proven more effective than non-spiritual healing. Prayer is likely to improve mood and spiritual health and experience, decrease anxiety, and make a person more tolerant to pain.

Methodist drug and alcohol rehab centers are likely to utilize healing through prayer by incorporating a variety of spiritual therapies and treatments.

During drug and alcohol treatment, prayer may have a “placebo effect” on a person with a strong faith in God. The placebo effect is a term in psychology describing treatment that doesn’t have any actual medical benefit or value, but does, in fact, benefit or treat a person.

Prayer during the drug rehabilitation process is a good example of a placebo’s effectiveness. Some research has shown that, in the right person, prayer can influence optimism, motivation, and engagement, three crucial ingredients to successful recovery.

A person entering a faith based rehab center should be optimist about their outcomes, be motivated to stop using drugs or alcohol, and be engaged in therapy and other treatments.

The specifics of treatment depend on the particular rehab center. However, there are some standard practices of treatment that may help a person know what to expect before they enter a Methodist drug and alcohol rehab center.

What To Expect From Methodist Drug And Alcohol Treatment

The course of treatment is likely dependent on a person’s individual needs and their drug of abuse.

A faith-based service like a Methodist drug and alcohol rehab center will likely have spiritual counselors and maybe a preacher, but will also have medical doctors, drug abuse counselors, and other medical staff.

If a person’s addiction is severe, a medically supervised detoxification may be the first course of action. Detoxification is the process by which the body rids itself of harmful toxins. To begin recovery, a person must stop using drugs or alcohol.

It can be difficult to stop using drugs or alcohol if the addiction is severe because the person has likely developed a dependence to the drug, and may experience painful symptoms of withdrawal when they stop use.

A medically supervised detoxification allows medical professionals to administer medications that can ease the discomfort of withdrawal and help with drug cravings. This is likely to take place at a hospital or inpatient treatment center.

Inpatient treatment, like a Methodist drug and alcohol rehab center, is likely the most effective course of treatment. Many inpatient treatment centers may provide a medically supervised detoxification to start the process of recovery, and then follow with medication-assisted treatment and a variety of behavioral therapies.

Medications And Behavioral Therapy

Medication assisted treatment allows professional to administer medications during treatment. A person suffering from an opioid addiction, for example, may benefit from drugs like methadone and buprenorphine.

Behavioral therapy is crucial to the success of recovery, and many faith-based treatment centers may provide a spiritual backbone to therapy. Support groups, a form of behavioral therapy, often have undertones of faith and spirituality.

Whether behavioral therapy is spiritual or not, the goal is to change a person’s thinking and attitudes towards drugs, slowly building the skills and tools needed to stay sober long after recovery.

Contact us today for more information on Methodist drug and alcohol rehab centers, and combine the power of healing and prayer with the professional treatment needed to overcome addiction.