Why Is Faith Important in Recovery?

Faith can play a significant role in personal growth. Whether one considers themselves spiritual, religious, or neither, faith remains one of the essential steps in addiction recovery. Why is this so?

What Is Faith?

Faith is a term interconnected to spirituality and religion, although faith is not just believing in a Higher Power. One does not have to experience religion for faith to play a role in recovery, either. In more general terms, faith is expressing hope for something greater or better to come. Faith is different from believing because beliefs are rooted in the conscious mind. When intentionally practiced, faith can be powerfully rooted in the subconscious mind, fostering more positive thoughts and attitudes about the recovery process. A positive subconscious mind will facilitate more extraordinary conscious actions towards sobriety.  

Faith Fosters Forgiveness

Where there is faith, there is forgiveness. Addiction is more than an ongoing battle with a particular substance or an activity. Addiction takes its toll on friendships and family relationships and can negatively affect the relationship that one has with themselves. While recovery begins with acknowledging the problem at hand, mistakes can and still do happen. 

With all of this comes the personal need for forgiveness. Some may seek forgiveness from loved ones, and many may seek forgiveness from themselves. Forgiveness involves releasing expectations that were once set about how someone should act or behave, and instead, accepting others for who they are. Forgiveness ties into faith because it is a combination of releasing expectations and working towards something better. Faith teaches how to forgive others and to forgive oneself. Forgiving oneself may be one of the most challenging acts to do in recovery, but it is a necessary part of the process. 

Faith Fosters Confidence

Another reason faith is so crucial in the recovery process is that it builds individuals’ confidence to ask for help. Once an addiction has been acknowledged, it takes dedication and motivation to continue the recovery process. Many may struggle with asking for the next step to take in their journey, especially when asking where to begin in the first place. When one has faith that their situation will get better, they are more likely to accept help and let others help them on their journey. Addiction recovery is not meant to be experienced alone.    

Faith Fosters Support

When an individual recognizes the need for recovery, life can start to feel like a standstill. But many forget that acknowledging the need for change is one of the most challenging steps in the recovery process. Once it is recognized, the individual seeking help needs encouragement and support from their community to find resources and opportunities for recovery. 

It is common for family and friends to identify addiction before an individual identifies with it themselves. The faith that family and friends hold for a specific individual is powerful. It may be just as important and influential as the faith built by the individual struggling with addiction. It is necessary to express faith to anyone experiencing a journey of recovery. It recognizes that their battle will be difficult but reiterates that their battle is not impossible to win. More so, to instill faith in the heart of someone experiencing addiction is to instill empathy and a great love for humanity as a whole.

How to Gain Faith

Faith is a necessary part of recovery. However, how does one gain the confidence to have faith in their recovery? One place to start would include community support groups. Support groups give individuals an opportunity to connect with others experiencing the same obstacles in their lives. Experiencing a community support group can help individuals to feel empowered in their recovery process, regardless of where they are in their journey. 

Support groups also help normalize mistakes that may happen over time and help others make connections with people who want to better their lives. It says a lot for someone to walk into a support group, let alone stick with it for some time. It is a beautifully difficult, incredibly brave step to surrender one’s struggle to a group of strangers. However, it helps when everyone else wants to be better and wants others to be better, too.

Another way to gain the confidence to have faith in recovery would be to listen to stories from those that consider themselves “recovered.” Some so many people have walked the same shoes, have experienced the same addiction, and are no longer in the place of suffering. Their stories are insightful, encouraging, and uplifting. It helps to hear that recovery is experienced by many people and overcome by many as well. These individuals will tell you about their continuous faith in themselves and their willingness to push forward despite their intensely difficult journeys. Listening to stories of faith will instill faith within.

Faith Is Crucial in Recovery

Cambridge Dictionary defines faith as “great trust or confidence in something or someone.” For those that are in recovery and are religious, having faith may look like trusting God for the ability to endure personal healing. For those that are in recovery and are not religious, having faith may be building up personal confidence in oneself to overcome addiction. Regardless, having faith in something or someone empowers individuals to keep moving forward. 

Recovery becomes more intentional when faith is involved. Faith helps with the forgiveness of others and oneself and helps build the confidence to ask for help. Seek connections with others that will help to foster faith within. Take time to listen to stories of faith and the long-lasting effects that come with it. Faith just may be the most necessary part of one’s recovery process.

Whether or not you consider yourself religious or spiritual, having faith in yourself and your recovery may be one of the most critical parts of your recovery journey. Faith can influence the way you forgive, help you gain confidence in yourself, and help you find support as you navigate through new waters. At West Coast Recovery Centers, our dedicated team of professionals encourages you to foster faith in yourself. We are here to be a part of your recovery journey and want to help you find the support you need to feel empowered. We encourage utilizing alternative methods of treatment for addiction and mental health that uniquely individualize your care. Our team values a deep connection with you, and we are honored to walk alongside you as you step towards sustainable recovery. For more information about the services West Coast Recovery Centers offers, call us today at (760) 492-6509. Healing begins with West Coast.