Where Does Faith Come From? | Faith in the Bible

Faith can take many forms – belief in yourself, fidelity to your spouse, loyalty to your employer – but for Christians, faith means developing a relationship with God, surrounding yourself with His grace and believing in the promise of salvation. 

According to Romans 12:3, God gives varying measures of faith to people. Having heard and accepted God’s Word, it then becomes our responsibility to strengthen our beliefs through prayer, worship services and Bible study. We must rely on this God-given faith to sustain and uplift us through life’s challenges.  

The Role of Faith in Your Recovery 

Addiction represents a low point in anyone’s life, but the good news is that mercy is always possible through God’s grace. With that mindset, you can discover a renewed sense of purpose that guides you through your journey to wellness. 

In 12-step recovery, you will learn to let a higher power guide your path. At each step of the way, you will find that faith, love and personal responsibility are the opposite of the guilt, shame and secrecy that characterize substance use disorders. Your work continues after you finish going through all 12 steps, because it then becomes your responsibility to pay it forward by telling others about how the program has helped you.  

While you may meet people from many walks of life in addiction recovery, the 12 steps are uniquely meaningful to Christians because the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous were devout in their faith. They grounded the 12 steps in their unshakeable belief that only God can forgive our flaws and grant us the power to change our lives for the better. By maintaining your relationship with God through prayer, you will find a vast inner reserve of faith you can pull from when you find your resolve wavering.

Our Faith-Based Recovery Program

If you have developed a problematic relationship with drugs or alcohol, you may feel like God is far away from you. At Celebrate Hope, we believe this is the time when you need faith the most. Incorporating Christian practices into your continuum of care, from detox through to residential and post-rehab aftercare, can be integral to improving your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.  

No matter when or how you find your faith, God is willing to forgive you. That’s the message awaiting you at Celebrate Hope, Southern California’s leading faith-based drug and alcohol rehab program. Throughout the years, our staff of addiction clinicians and Christian counselors has provided cutting-edge treatment that has helped many clients begin working on their long-term sobriety while strengthening their relationship with God.

We offer individual and group therapy sessions, private one-on-one Christian counseling, Christian fellowship and recreation, Bible study, worship services, life skills training and family support. While many drug and alcohol treatment centers neglect the spiritual side of recovery, Celebrate Hope provides daily opportunities for our clients to renew their faith in Christ. To learn more about our Christian-focused programming, reach out to a faith-based recovery specialist today by filling out our convenient online form or calling (866) 677-1872.

Christian Dual Diagnosis Treatment

COVID-19: Challenges Faced by People of Faith

The past few years have been especially isolating for members of our community. Christians who are used to gathering on a weekly basis for worship and support have missed out on countless in-person services. Instead of fostering fellowship within the four walls of their sanctuary – a word which literally means “a place of refuge or safety” – people of faith have been confined to their homes, often alone. This seclusion is a recipe for distress. 

When faced with such troubles, David penned Psalm 25:

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

    for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

    bring me out of my distresses.

18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,

    and forgive all my sins.

Similarly, the solitude and separation of the pandemic have caused many of our brothers and sisters to face anxiety, depression, and even substance use disorder. Fortunately, healing is available for those dealing with addiction and a co-occurring disorder.

Dual Diagnosis Explained

Dual diagnosis is the clinical term for a combination of disorders: a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. The most common co-occurring conditions are depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADD/ADHD, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. 

Often, people who have turned to drugs or alcohol will also experience issues with their mental wellbeing. This relationship can be formed one of two ways.

1. In some cases, those with depression, anxiety, or a history of trauma will try to “self-medicate” their symptoms. This self-destructive coping mechanism eventually causes them to develop a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol or drugs.

2. In other instances, a substance use disorder can make people experience strong negative emotions. Drinking and drug use change the brain’s structure and systems, resulting in low mood, manic episodes, and increased anxiety.

People in isolation are especially vulnerable to addiction and co-occurring mental illnesses. Megan Evans and Edwin B. Fisher wrote about this topic in an article titled “Social Isolation and Mental Health: The Role of Nondirective and Directive Social Support.” Their research, published in The Community Mental Health Journal, demonstrates the strong link between loneliness and mental health problems. They found that levels of depression and anxiety were significantly higher among those who were socially isolated. They also found social support to be a crucial factor in restoring one’s emotional health. At Celebrate Hope, we provide Christian dual diagnosis treatment rooted in community, fellowship, and faith.   

What is Christian Dual Diagnosis Treatment?

To fully address substance use disorder and co-occurring mental illness, integrated treatment is required. This means that both conditions must be addressed at the same time. The Celebrate Hope program begins by unraveling the factors driving one’s substance use, anxiety, depression, or trauma. Often, the issue at the heart of one’s addiction and unhappiness is a life led selfishly – not spiritually, personal struggle, traumatic event, or other concern that emerges due to a crisis of faith.

Once the underlying causes have been identified, we help Christians to reconnect with God and other people of faith. We believe that the strength provided by spiritual connection is just as important as the science of addiction treatment. In this way, we are able to aid clients through a combination of faith-based and evidence-based practices. Our holistic, whole-person approach prioritizes the values outlined by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. With these skills, the support of others, and the love of Christ, our clients are able to build a firm foundation for lasting recovery.

Healing for Christians in Southern California

If this has been a difficult season for you, you are not alone. Celebrate Hope offers a place of rest for those seeking freedom from alcohol, drugs, and mental illness. We invite you to learn more about our Christian dual diagnosis treatment program.