Faith-based approach in substance addiction recovery

The problem of substance abuse and addiction affects individuals, families, and the society in general with its effects on health, socio-economic factors and safety. The dominant approach in the world is to recognize addiction and substance use disorders as a disease and to promote appropriate treatment and care services. However, alternative approaches that are integrated into treatment services or implemented independently are also common in combating addiction problems. Faith-based programs and therapeutic communities are the leading ones among these. In this study, faith-based programs, which are a treatment alternative in substance addiction recovery, are examined. Firstly, the definition of a faith-based approach and its historical development have been expounded, and then examples from the activities of religious communities in Turkey against drug addiction have been studied practically. Within the scope of the research, the addiction recovery and rehabilitation activities of Bişri Hafi Association, Bağımsız Yaşam Association, and Hikmet Gönül Erleri Association have been investigated. The findings of the study have revealed that the addicts that applied to the faith-based programs most were those who had had heavy and long-term substance use and who mostly had tried different treatment methods but failed. In faith-based programs, close attention and volunteering emerged as a distinctive feature in addition to spirituality. The residential program offers an important opportunity for the participants to stay away from the risky social environment and to overcome the abstinence period. The therapeutic alliance principle, which refers to the addicts' recovery efforts in collaboration with the program team and other patients, is an important feature of the programs. The isolation of the participants from the risky social environment, high motivation and opportunities for re-socialization stand out as the strengths of faith-based approaches. Institutionalization problems, lack of professional staff and not being included in the health system can also be considered as weaknesses of this approach. The findings of the study demonstrate that faith-based programs are a viable alternative that can be implemented and made widespread in Turkey, but they also show that that since these programs are just up the road, they need to be further developed and supported. Keywords: Drug Addiction, Substance Addiction Recovery, Treatment, Faith-Based Programs, Therapeutic Communities