Orthodox Drug and Alcohol Rehabs

In the U.S., there are many substance abuse treatment options for people who identify with specific religions, including Orthodox religions such as Orthodox Christianity and Orthodox Judaism.

Receiving alcohol and drug addiction treatment can be a challenging, but worthwhile process, and many people find religion to be a useful tool during this time.

Orthodox alcohol and drug rehab centers use a combination of evidence- and faith-based treatment options to treat addiction comprehensively while focusing on faith.

Read on to learn about the ways Orthodox religions are incorporated into addiction rehabilitation.

There is a big emphasis on faith and Orthodox values in Orthodox addiction treatment programs.

Much like other addiction rehabilitation centers, Orthodox rehabs have the ultimate goal to treat addiction, but incorporate aspects of religion to support this goal.

Orthodox are commonly offered in Orthodox rehabilitation programs, such as:

• Prayer
• Fasting
• 12-step programs
• Spiritual counseling

Most Orthodox rehab programs also offer inpatient and outpatient care, much like standard treatment facilities.

Key Facts on Orthodox Rehab

• Benefits: Strengthening your relationship with God and your faith, a sense of community, a sense of comfort and familiarity, guidance and empowerment through recovery, new coping skills to encourage recovery and sobriety, and newfound relationships
• Types of addiction treated: Heroin addiction, alcohol addiction, opioid addiction, prescription drug addiction, meth addiction, and cocaine addiction
• Types of treatment: Inpatient and outpatient treatment, 12-step programs, prayer, Bible study, dual diagnosis, behavioral therapy, counseling, medical detox, group therapy, and aftercare
• How to pay for Orthodox rehab: cash pay, health insurance plans, financing options such as a payment plan or sliding scale pricing
• Number of Orthodox people in America: Six million Orthodox Christians, over five million Orthodox Jews
• Percent of addiction treatment programs in the U.S. that include a spirituality-based element: 73%

Answer: Anyone who is already practicing an Orthodox religion can greatly benefit from Orthodox rehab programs.

In fact, anyone who has a history of Orthodox faith will likely benefit. The added support of faith and religion during recovery can be encouraging and increase the likelihood of long-lasting recovery.

That being said, people who are not already part of the faith can benefit from these programs too. Anyone who wants to incorporate faith into their addiction recovery is likely to see benefits.

Overview: Orthodox addiction rehabilitation programs have some similarities to non-faith-based rehab centers, but it’s important to know the major differences.

Faith-based recovery programs, like Orthodox rehabs, are designed specifically for people who want to make a faith a part of their treatment process.

Non-faith-based rehab programs, however, do not hone in on religion and faith. That being said, they focus solely on evidence-based treatment services.

As a disclaimer, some non-faith-based rehab centers offer specialized recovery tracks for religious individuals, but not all do.

Answer: In an Orthodox addiction treatment program you can expect to receive a combination of evidence-based and faith-based treatment services. This will look different depending on which religion you practice, Orthodox Christianity or Orthodox Judaism.

Examples of services, amenities, and activities in a Christian Orthodox rehab include:

• 12-step programs
• Behavioral therapies and counseling
• Group therapy and family therapy
• Medical detoxifications services, either inpatient or outpatient
• Dedicated time to pray and worship including morning and evening prayers and morning devotions
• Bible studies
• An onsite priest with opportunities for one-on-one pastoral counseling
• Leadership and hymn education, tutoring assistance
• Healthcare providers who are also Christian
• Behavioral therapy
• Aftercare services

Examples of services, amenities, and activities in a Jewish Orthodox rehab include:

• 12-step programs
• Behavioral therapy and counseling
• Group therapy and family therapy
• Medical detoxification services, either inpatient or outpatient
• Kosher and Sabbath meals
• Observance of the Sabbath and Jewish holidays
• Onsite rabbi and one-on-one spiritual counseling
• Torah study
• Dedicated time to pray
• Aftercare services
• Treatment providers who are also Jewish
• Aftercare services

Orthodox Christian and Orthodox Jewish rehab centers offer similar evidence-based treatment options but differ in faith-based services.

Inpatient or Residential Treatment

Many people start their recovery journey in inpatient rehabilitation. Inpatient rehab offers the highest level of care with round-the-clock support. This is made possible by requiring individuals to temporarily live in the treatment facility.

During inpatient treatment, you’ll receive a combination of treatment services (both evidence- and faith-based) likely in a structured schedule.

Medical Detox

Medical detoxification is another treatment option offered in both Orthodox Christian and Orthodox Jewish rehabs.

It is often offered at the start of an inpatient or outpatient program and is a service that helps rid the body of any addictive substances. This helps individuals start recovery with a clean slate.

During a medical detox, your treatment provider will monitor your vitals, help you manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and administer any additional treatments or medications they find necessary.

In an Orthodox Christian program, detox may also include prayer, Bible study, and one-on-one conversation with a priest. As for Orthodox Jewish programs, detox may include prayer, Torah study, and meeting with the rabbi.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is different from inpatient treatment in that it does not provide 24-hour care. This is because individuals travel to a treatment center several days a week for treatment rather than moving into the care facility.

Outpatient rehab can include many treatment services including 12-step meetings, therapy, and counseling. There are also variations of outpatient rehabilitation such as partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).

Both Orthodox Jewish and Orthodox Christian rehabs offer outpatient services. These services may be the right choice for people who have already completed inpatient treatment or cannot commit to living in a rehab facility due to other responsibilities.

Group and Family Therapy

Group and family therapy are some other common treatment options at both Orthodox Jewish and Orthodox Christian treatment centers.

Group therapy/counseling involves meeting with a group of people who also have an addiction and talking through your experiences, achievements, failures, strategies, and goals and how they all relate to your recovery.

Family therapy is therapy conducted with the individual who is receiving treatment and their family. Both religions emphasize the importance of healing familial wounds and strengthening bonds through this service.

Prayer, Spiritual Counseling, and Religious Education

For Orthodox Christian rehab, some faith-based services you may encounter include prayer, bible study, one-on-one pastoral counseling, and set worship times.

These services are all important for recovering from sin, strengthening one’s connection with God, and learning to help others in the future.

You will have the opportunity to participate in prayer and worship during certain times of day such as morning and evening, which will likely be worked into your treatment schedule.

Orthodox Jewish rehab may offer faith-based services such as prayer, Torah study, observation of Sabbath and Jewish holidays, and one-on-one counseling with a rabbi.

Additionally, Orthodox Jewish treatment facilities offer Kosher treatment and food to ensure participants are comfortable throughout their treatment.

The stigma surrounding addiction and substance abuse is particularly strong in the Orthodox Jewish community, and many Orthodox Jewish rehabs have been shown to help reduce that stigma.

Counseling and Behavioral Therapy

Individual counseling and behavioral therapy are both offered in Orthodox treatment centers, both Christian and Jewish.

Both services are great for addressing mental and behavioral health and how they intertwine with physical health when it comes to addiction.

Counseling is all about discussing your worries, thoughts, emotions, and goals surrounding your recovery. Behavioral therapy on the other hand focuses on adjusting thought patterns that may exacerbate or cause your addiction.

Many people with addictions also have mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or bipolar disorder.

Behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help address these issues.

Support Groups

Support groups like 12-step meetings are commonly offered in inpatient, outpatient, and aftercare settings for Orthodox rehab.

Twelve-step meetings will of course differ between Orthodox Christian and Orthodox Jewish centers. Twelve-step meetings are easily adjusted to different faiths, so depending on which religion you practice, you’ll be able to find meetings that are catered to your beliefs.

The cost of an Orthodox addiction treatment program can vary quite a bit as the cost is often based on several factors.

First and foremost, some treatment centers are nonprofit or government-funded and may offer treatment at low or no cost. On the other hand, privately owned facilities are often a bit pricier.

Other factors that can affect the pricing of a rehabilitation program include the type of treatment offered, amenities offered, and the length of the program.

In rare cases, some Orthodox treatment centers offer scholarships or donations for individuals who cannot afford rehab on their own.

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of an Orthodox Rehab Program?

Answer: Sometimes insurance will help cover the cost of an Orthodox rehab program. Not all addiction treatment centers accept insurance plans, so it’s important to first check that the center you choose does.

On top of that, you’ll also want to make sure that the recovery center you chose is in-network with your insurance provider. This will ensure you are paying the lowest cost possible.

Also be sure to check any requirements your healthcare plan has for covering substance abuse treatment. For example, you may need a proper diagnosis, to receive a particular type of treatment, to receive prior authorization, or meet your deductible to get insurance coverage.

Answer: After you finish Orthodox rehab, either Christian or Jewish, you will most likely enter into some kind of aftercare treatment plan. Aftercare, which is also called continuing care, is the care you receive after completing a treatment program.

Aftercare is a very individualized experience, with your care team you will determine what treatment services will be beneficial for you to continue going forward.

This can include services like behavioral therapy, counseling, 12-step meetings, group therapy, spiritual counseling and prayer, and sober housing.

If you’re looking for a Christian Orthodox or Jewish Orthodox treatment center near you, it can be helpful to have a few resources at your fingertips. Here are a few that will narrow your search.

Some resources for finding Orthodox treatment centers include:

• Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Partnership Center) – The Partnership Center, created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is a resource for faith-based communities and offers resources for substance abuse.
• Alcoholics Anonymous – Here, you’ll be able to find AA meetings in your area.
• Narcotics Anonymous – Here, you’ll find NA meetings, or 12-step meetings for substance addictions other than alcohol.
• Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN) – JAAN is an organization that connects individuals with information, tools, and resources related to addiction. You’ll find several support group recommendations on their website.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – SAMHSA offers a treatment locator that is confidential and anonymous for finding substance use disorder (SUD) treatment across the country.
• Personal connections – Other great resources include asking around in your community, prayer or meditation groups, or asking your treatment provider for rehab recommendations.
• RehabNet.com – We also offer state-specific treatment center lists. Here, you’ll find a list of quality rehab centers in your state including information about religious programs.

Orthodox drug and alcohol addiction treatment facilities can help religious people start the path toward recovery and reap the many benefits, including long-lasting recovery.

If you or a loved one is in need of more guidance concerning Orthodox substance abuse treatment, give our helpline a call today.