Is it true to say that people with religious beliefs (of any kind) are less likely to have drug addictions?

Question

Is there some correlation between substance dependency and absence of religious faith? Would be interested to know if there's anything in this theory and if so how it works.

Answer 1

I used to work in the substance abuse prevention field. I don't know about stats on being less likely to have drug addictions, but I will put it this way.

Kids who grow up in families or have a mentor with strong religious convictions against drugs are less likely to give in to the peer pressure--sometimes it's just a matter of delaying onset or keeping kids at the experimentation level rather than addiction, but it does seem to have an impact. The religious families have high expectations for their children and teach them the value of their souls and bodies as created beings put here on earth for a purpose, rather than just an organism that evolved and exists for its own pleasure.

I also know that those who are addicts who have a strong religious faith seem to be more successful at overcoming the addiction (using their "Higher Power" through programs such as AA). I saw many examples where those with strong support groups praying for them and/or their own strong religious convictions were very positive forces in helping them overcome addictions.

I'm sure there are exceptions, especially when someone has been disillusioned by a bad experience with religion, is rebelling against the values he/she was raised by, or has lots of other risk factors going on, but in my experience there is a correlation. This has been a challenge for programs that attempt to comply with separation of church/state issues to get or keep government funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment programs. I heard the other day that there is a movement to get some of the prison ministries out of the prisons because they are preaching Jesus, even though they allow Islam and other religious groups, and even though the Christian prison ministries can point to many success stories of lower recidivism rates for convict who participated in their program vs. those who didn't.

Answer 2

In my addictions class we spoke about this very topic and my teacher explained that it has nothing to do with them becoming addicted-- either way they can but people with some type of religious affiliation-- someone else who they feel can take control of their lives, it makes it easier for them to quit and stay clean.

so to the people who keep quoting that there are more christian inmates and christians in AA and NA-- do you really think they were christians before, or that God helped them to see what they were doing and they became christian. I mean they could have been either way-- but just the fact that they are in NA or AA shows a step in the right direction--

Answer 3

I think it has a lot to do with the overall society and values around the person. My mother was raised in a home with faith but chose in her teens to buck against it...she ended up on drugs and prostituting herself for them.....her one brother was also, and still is on drugs...they were close in age and hung out with the loose crowd at school and got sucked into that life. Their older brother was in H.S. just before the free love and drug movement hit so he got spared those influences and continued with his faith into his adult life. He is successful with his family and career and professes a faith in Jesus. My mother has been able to get off drugs (4 years ago) but she says it is only because of her new faith in God. She says the times she was on drugs she had no real faith in Jesus but only through repentance has been able to let go of the shackles of drugs....trying to repair that relationship has been hard and a real lesson in Gods forgiveness. I have known many people to lay down that lifestyle for Jesus and never look back...I have known people to be raised in faith but not actually have any of their own, I think my biological mother fits that profile...it would be inaccurate to say she was a christian then started doing drugs...she admits she never really was a christian just went along with her family when she was younger.
It is proven that faith based rehabilitation programs (whether for drugs or prisoners or other deviant persons) have a great track record and less recidivism than many other programs out there.

Answer 4

My understanding is that religious faith carries prohibitions against many things that could cause people to get in trouble, including excessive alcohol and any drug consumption; therefore, it might prevent people who otherwise would become alcoholics/addicts (because of genetics, etc.) from imbibing or using drugs.

And since Alcoholism is often, in AA, referred to as a "spiritual disease" there is benefit in working on one's relationship with a "higher power" so as to not feel isolated from others and distant from God. Addicts and alcoholics tend to suffer from feelings of isolation, even before they start using; and in recovery, one realizes that one has done a great many things to be ashamed of. There is a need to feel forgiven and accepted by people and by a "higher power". Being "forgiven" can prevent relapse.

Answer 5

As a recovering addict who happens to know God exists, I would definitely say that the disease of addiction does not care whether you are religious or not. But I do know the 12 steps of A.A. are vital in overcoming addiction and have a very spiritual nature in them as they are applied.

Answer 6

The statistics show the contrary dear.
People with religious beliefs have what is called a schizoid delusional mental disorder. This disorder makes them more susceptible to have craving for psychotropic substances. Sometime this disorder evolves in a full blown mental disease with dire consequences (Virginia tech...).
One more reason to educate and treat them as soon as possible....

Answer 7

I would not agree with ANY kind. Just repeating rhetoric for a religion does not offer any protection. A logical religious belief taken to the heart of an individual would be a protection.

Necessary would be using not just the head knowledge, but imprinting on the heart for it to take and be of benefit.

Answer 8

I believe in God, first of all. I have had substance abuse problems over the years, but my faith from God has never been waived by my drug abuse. It only made me stronger because I have put my life on the line many times over during my drug abuse, but I always remained safe, no matter how scared I was b/c I was with dangerous people. I had several seizures doing drugs & the people that were with me at these times, most of them always left me for dead, but there was always one person that stayed with me, took me to the hospital, and I know in my heart and my faith in God that this was God's way of telling me that this is not my path in life. God saved me many times over b/c I have quit breathing during these seizures, I had to have CPR many times, but I always was saved. So, even when I was doing drugs, God never left my side and my faith always grew each time. Drug addictions and religious beliefs is living. My physical life and and my spiritual life are all linked to me which I believe is a part of my daily life and I my faith in God always grew each time I went on one of my dangerous, dark, frightful, and desperate drug binges b/c I looked back each time, and in my sober mind, I recalled all of the many, many ways that I could have died, but I didn't die b/c God was always beside me as I was doing the drugs, God sit beside me and held my hand. I have had many friends that died doing drugs hanging out with strangers, dealers, other addicts, and doing the same things I did, but not in situations as dangerous as I always put myself in. I hope this makes sense to someone, I'm not sure if I got my point across. It makes sense to me b/c I lived through it. Cyn

Answer 9

As a Christian, I can tell you that we are all human and alcoholism and drug abuse is in our culture as well. It is a shame, but it is true. The only perfect man to ever walk the earth was Jesus Himself. Remember this. Jesus asked you to follow Him, not other Christians. So keep looking up! God Bless.

Answer 10

When you believe in Jesus you usually want to be Christ Like you don't want to put anything in your body that Jesus wouldn't put in his..... You wouldn't give Jesus a shot of Meth..... Or tell him to smoke Marijuana would you?............
Addicts can find religion though..... AA and NA is faith based....... They teach you to lean on Jesus for all things........