
Today, an estimated 48.5 million American suffer from a substance use disorder or “addiction”. That epidemic of addiction means that almost 1 in 2 Americans struggles with substance abuse (17% of the population over the age of 18). For many of us, that’s a result of demanding jobs, high levels of stress, and little or no room for community, God, and love in our lives.
If you’re struggling with substance abuse or are leaning too much on drinking or drugs to make it through the day, the Bible is a place you can turn for hope and for inspiration. Most importantly, while it says nothing about addiction as we understand it today, the Scripture has much in the way of guidance for those of us who have lost our way.
Turn to God Not to Alcohol
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” _ Ephesians 5:18
The Bible repeats the mantra that God is an alternative to drinking. That’s especially important for the multitude of us who turn to drinking not for pleasure, but to self-soothe and self-medicate, to cope with stress in an uncertain world. Turning to God gives you a safe haven, a place to destress, and the community you need to rebuild yourself stronger than you were.
Build up Self-Control
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” _ Proverbs 25:28
A substance use disorder can feel overwhelming and all-consuming. It can feel like the only thing that matters is the substance. As a Christian, it is your duty to God to work to rebuild that self-control so you can abstain, so you can treat your body as the Temple it is designated by God, and so you can honor Him with your actions, thoughts, and choices. By seeking His guidance and strength through prayer, scripture, and fellowship with other believers, you can overcome the hold of addiction and walk in the freedom and purpose He has planned for you.
Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” _ 1 Corinthians 6:12
The Bible acknowledges that you can do whatever you want with your body and your time. It also states that those things like drinking can be harmful to you. That when you allow yourself to be overcome by addiction, you are being dominated by something and you lose your free will. Not allowing yourself to be dominated by addiction, asking for help from your community, and freeing yourself from the bonds of addiction is part of your duty to yourself and to God.
Your Body is a Temple
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
When God sacrificed his only living Son, he saved believers from Hell. That sacrifice should not go unresected or unrewarded. Your body is a Temple to God and that means treating it as such, building yourself up, and dedicating yourself to God. It is your duty as a Christian to abstain and to treat your body with care.
Turn to God for Strength
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” _ Philippians 4:13
“Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”_ Psalm 50:15
Many of us develop addiction by turning to substances to help cope with life, stress, and problems. Turning to God instead will give you a rock on which to stand to build your mental health and recovery from and eventually to build a life from where you don’t need substances to cope, because when things get hard, you can turn to God for comfort, hope, and salvation.
You Cannot Be Addicted and Serve God
“No one can serve two masters” Mathew 6:24
Addiction takes over your life. It replaces everything you care about. If you’re addicted enough, you’ll care more about getting your next drink than getting to hug your kids. Addiction blunts the pathways by which you feel reward and emotions around things you care about. The result is that you’ll withdraw from spirituality, from your family, and from your community – even if you’re still going through the motions. You can’t do both.
There is a Path to Recovery
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” _ Isaiah 41:10
God is all knowing and all forgiving. There is always a way out, there is always a path to recovery. All you have to do is embrace God, ask for help, and lean on him as you make your way towards recovery. He will be there for you, no matter how far you have strayed and no matter how long it has been. All you have to do is ask for help and lean on God’s hand and keep doing so.
Have Faith in Forgiveness
“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven”. _ James 5:15-16
It’s easy to lose yourself in despondency, to think that you are broken, to think that you are an addict and that’s all you’ll ever be. That’s part of stigma against people with addiction. If you see addiction as a moral failure, a personal flaw, you might feel it’s hopeless to get help or to work on yourself. But, God doesn’t see you that way. God will forgive everything if you change your ways, if you turn to Him, if you take His hand and allow him to raise you up. There is no sin to great and you can recover.
Practical Steps Guided by Scripture
We’ve all heard the parable of the footsteps, where an unbelieving man is angry at God only to learn that God was carrying him during the worst moments of his life. God provides help, you only have to reach out and ask for it. According to the Scripture that means:
- Look for Community – Surround yourself with supportive, faithful community. That means going to a faith-based rehab center when you get help, looking into Christian groups and community for recovery, and attending Church. Most Christian rehab centers will offer all three.
- Pray to God – Pray to God for guidance, for strength, and for support when you need it.
- Confess and Repent – Moving forward means acknowledging that you want to change, to yourself, and to others. Confess, acknowledge your struggles, and seek forgiveness from God and from those around you. 12-Step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous will include this in the steps, meaning you can rely on the guidance of those who have gone before you.
- Focus on Growth – There is no sin that God will not forgive you for. There is no step too far. God is all-knowing and all-forgiving and there is always a way back to Him. Focus on that growth, on building yourself up, and on creating a path to recovery.
If you’re struggling with substance abuse, you’re not alone. Millions of us struggle with alcohol, drugs, and prescription medication. You can get help and you can do so in an environment that supports your faith, offers guidance from God, and helps you to rebuild your connection with God, family, and community while you work on ridding yourself of your addiction.