Because peer support and programs like AA, which was originally faith-based, can be so useful, it is important for all people struggling with addiction to have these same resources.
Atheist rehab programs and facilities that offer non-religious treatment services are out there, and they are a great resource. Those who don’t believe in God or another “higher power” can benefit from choosing a secular addiction treatment center in many ways.
Faith is an important consideration in drug and alcohol rehab centers because when your beliefs are in line with your recovery, it’s much easier to overcome addiction.
What Are Atheist Alcohol And Drug Rehab Centers?
Atheist-based rehab programs, also referred to as secular or non-faith based programs, utilize other self-improvement methodologies and evidence-based treatment services to help people succeed in recovery.
These rehab programs and facilities still rely heavily on peer support and having the right tools to minimize relapse and overcome addiction.
There are a number of different styles and types of Atheist rehab programs out there. Each has proven to be more beneficial to atheist individuals because there isn’t a reliance on any type of religion in order to work through recovery.
Atheist treatment centers focus on taking responsibility for one’s actions and empowering those struggling with addiction to utilize various tools to improve their lives through recovery.
They promote healthy habits and responsible lifestyle choices as a means of overcoming addiction and succeeding in life.
What Happens In An Atheist Alcohol And Drug Rehab Center?
Every rehab facility has its own methods of operation, but the basic principles are essentially the same. In an atheist rehab center, religion and religious practices are simply removed from the treatment process.
Upon arriving at an atheist inpatient rehab center, individuals will be given a full assessment to determine where they are in their struggle with addiction and which treatment options would be most beneficial.
Providing individualized treatment solutions is critical for any drug and alcohol rehab center that wants to give people the best chances of success.
Once the assessment is complete, staff will work with the individual to create an individual recovery plan. This can include individual counseling, group therapy, supervised detox, dual diagnosis treatment, and other treatments and services.
Rather than relying on a higher power for strength and inspiration, atheist rehab centers use scientific-based tools and psychological resources like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people overcome addiction.
Goals Of An Atheist-Based Rehab Center
The goals of atheist-based rehab centers are similar to those of other rehab facilities. They want to empower people struggling with addiction to overcome their personal obstacles and help them succeed in recovery.
There are a number of different rehab programs and centers, but they have common overall goals:
- Offering mutual support to assist individuals in overcoming addiction.
- Empowering people to take back control of their lives.
- Providing resources and tools to assist individuals in all stages of recovery, including aftercare.
Some secular programs utilize mindfulness and meditation, as opposed to religious ideals, to support the spiritual aspect of recovery. For those who don’t want a religious program but still appreciate the idea of spiritual growth, this can be beneficial.
Benefits Of An Atheist-Based Rehab Center
Non-12-step-based rehab centers have many benefits. Like spiritual addiction treatment centers, these facilities provide people with experienced, dedicated staff and a variety of support systems and tools to assist in overcoming addiction.
Atheist alcohol and drug rehab centers provide a space that is free of religion and spirituality for those who do not want to include faith or religion in their addiction treatment.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of non-12-step-based rehab centers for atheists and agnostics is that they approach recovery in a way that is aligned with the individual’s beliefs.
When an individual is not being forced into something new or a concept that they don’t fully believe in, they will be much more likely to succeed in recovery.
How Atheist-Based Rehab Programs Can Aid In Recovery
Atheist and agnostic rehab programs focus on treating the whole individual and helping them improve their life on an overall scale.
They rely on evidence-based treatment, which can especially be more effective in the case of those who struggle with dual diagnosis of coexisting mental health disorders.
For those who aren’t religious, atheist rehab programs can alleviate the extra burden of feeling obligated to believe in something in order to succeed in recovery. This makes it much easier for agnostic and atheist individuals to overcome their addictions.
Spiritual addiction treatment is fine for those who want it, but it can actually become another hurdle for those who aren’t interested in religion and spirituality. The last thing anyone needs in recovery is another obstacle.
By taking the focus off religion, atheist-based rehab centers allow for more focus on self-improvement through counseling, peer support, dual diagnosis treatment, and other science-based elements of addiction treatment.
This can make it easier for atheists to feel empowered in their recovery by giving them tools that they can actually use.
Finding An Atheist-Based Alcohol And Drug Rehab Center
Atheist and agnostic rehab programs are not as common, but they do exist. You may need to consider traveling out of your local area, and maybe even out of state.
After all, finding the right rehab program is what matters most. When you can find a program that aligns with your faith (or lack thereof), you may have a better chance at success in recovery. To learn more about finding the right addiction treatment, contact a treatment specialist today.
