Prayer and Substance Abuse Recovery

According to Dictionary.com, the activity of “prayer” can be understood as:  

• -- a devout petition to God or an object of worship
• -- a spiritual communion with God or object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession

  Simply put, prayer can take many forms and has many functions. In general, prayer has been known to help people feel a divine or transcendent presence, relieve the necessity to control, and increase thankfulness. For those in recovery, prayer can help a person stay focused on sobriety.     In the Christian scriptures, many examples of prayer are found that can help us understand how and why prayer does it what does. One of the most well-known passages is the Lord’s prayer given by Jesus when his disciples asked him how to pray (Matt. 6; Luke 11). But there are also numerous other examples that offer support for those in addiction recovery, some of which are outlined below.

Prayer in Alcoholics Anonymous Program

  If you’re familiar with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), you’ve probably heard the well-known prayer known as the serenity prayer: “God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.”   Because of AA’s vast impact on addiction treatment across the globe, it’s not such a foreign thought to appeal to “a higher power” while in recovery. In fact, a study in Pastoral Psychology surveyed 139 substance abuse programs and 91% of them endorsed AA’s twelve-step model. Moreover, 26% of the treatment centers “actively used prayer” in their program models, and 58% employed meditation practices.   What this indicates is the widespread use (and implied benefits) of prayer-related models being used in addiction treatment programs today.  

What Are the Advantages of Prayer in Addiction Recovery?

  The evidence is clear on the important role that religion and spirituality play in substance abuse recovery. For example, a study in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment demonstrated that religious and spiritual affiliation resulted in a number of benefits:  

• More optimistic life orientation
• Greater perceived social support
• Higher resilience to stress
• Lower levels of anxiety

  But as far as how prayer specifically can benefit those struggling with addiction, many people underestimate its effects. The following advantages of prayer are outlined below. They may provide a good starting point for someone interested in the Christian approaches to prayer while on their healing journey.  

#1: Hope

  The journey of addiction recovery isn’t always a smooth one. There will likely be days where you’re ready to give up, give in, and return to your old habits. But engaging in prayer on your recovery journey can offer that extra boost of hope when you need it. And that hope can help you carry on.   When you are feeling weak, you can pray to God for strength and guidance. Romans 12:12, for example, encourages us to “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” It takes perseverance to keep hoping, but prayer can be one of the lifelines for giving you strength.  

#2: Physical Health Benefits

  In addition to helping you have hope, prayer also has many physical benefits. Because it can slow your breathing and reduce heart rate and blood pressure, its can have an overall relaxing effect. Moreover, it can decrease stress hormones which creates a sense of calm. Less stress means more room for positive hormones.  

#3: Mental Health Benefits

  In addition to its spiritual and physical benefits, prayer can also help therapeutically with one’s mental health. And considering the connections between substance abuse and mental health conditions, prayer can be a useful tool. In some instances, prayer can decrease feelings of anger, aggression, anxiety, and depression. For someone in the early stages of recovery who may be feeling a range of these emotions, a regular prayer practice may offer relief.   As Phil. 4:6 describes, we can obtain peace in both our hearts and minds through prayer and supplication. Instead of turning to anxious thoughts, prayer can be one of the ways to help you release, find healing, and recenter.  

#4: Self-Reflection and Contemplation

  For many people in recovery, an advantage of prayer is that it provides space for a moment of self-reflection each day. Between treatment, navigating group meetings, and readjusting to a sober life, things might feel overwhelming at first. Imagine setting aside some moments each day to reflect, center, and gain perspective. The things that were overwhelming before may soon begin to fade into the background.   Praying in recovery allows people to take a step back from the distractions and stressors of everyday life. In this, they might be able to find room for what they’re grateful for. In the letter to the Colossians, it encourages its readers to “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.” If you dedicate a few moments to being thankful, you may experience a healthy pause where it’s needed.  

#5: Healthy Routine

  Having a set routine and sense of stability is important for the early stages of recovery. If prayer is a part of this routine, it can become a centering one and something you look forward to every day. If a person in recovery makes an effort to set aside time to pray every day, it can help keep you in this healthy routine.   Do you prefer to pray when you first wake up or right before bed? Either way, these few minutes can help bring you back to your routine when you had a rough day. Prayer can guide you back to the healthy routine you first envisioned with your support team.

An Important Part of Your Recovery Journey

Because there are so many benefits of prayer in recovery, it might be worth a try. Doing so on a regular basis could have a positive impact on your recovery journey. We all need more stability and comfort in our lives. To learn more about what a Christ-centered recovery program might look for you, reach out to the team at Adult and Teen Challenge of Oklahoma today.