What Judaism-Based Addiction Treatments Exist?

Approximately 14 million people practice Judaism worldwide. Jewish people believe that there is only one God who created the universe and that God is in control of the universe (monotheism). God is spiritual, not physical.¹

The Foundation of Judaism

The foundation of Judaism is the Torah, sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch or as the Five Books of Moses. The Torah includes the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, which are the first five books of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible.

The religion of Judaism is considered by Jewish individuals to represent the covenant (contract) that God has established with the children of Israel. The focus of Judaism is on beliefs, deeds, and practices that are designed to follow God’s laws and that are designed to connect the individual more closely with God.

The totality of the ordinances and practices that have evolved since biblical times to regulate the conduct of the Jewish people has been interpreted differently by different sects of Judaism, but in general, Judaism is considered to be the forerunner of Christianity. However, Jewish people do not accept the Christian notion that Jesus Christ was the son of God and that God is three separate beings (the Trinity). For practitioners of Judaism, their major concern is how a person lives out God’s laws as stated in the scriptures.

Judaism and Substance Abuse

Interestingly, some practicing Jews believe that people of their faith cannot be affected by addiction.² Even though alcoholic beverages such as wine are part of Jewish rituals, the community generally stigmatizes addictive behaviors, particularly Orthodox Jews who separate themselves from others and follow very strict traditional Jewish values.

In some instances, practitioners of Judaism with substance use issues may become alienated from their peers due to some longstanding myths associated with substance use in the Jewish community. These myths include the following:

• People who practice Judaism are protected from addiction.
• Only Jews who have become alienated from their faith develop substance use issues.
• Substance misuse is a sign of moral failure.
• Orthodox Jews do not use alcohol or illicit drugs.
• There is no need for addiction recovery programs that incorporate the tenants of Judaism.

Nonetheless, research studies indicate that nearly 20% of individuals of the Jewish faith have a family history of addictive behaviors. In Israel, there is about a 13% lifetime prevalence rate of addiction, relatively consistent with the rates of substance use from many other industrialized countries.³

It is well accepted that addictive behaviors do not discriminate between individuals from different genders, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, or on the basis of other demographic barriers. Judaism, like many religions, teaches that addictive behaviors are wrong, and substance use is frowned upon within the Jewish community.

Practitioners of Judaism are taught that their body belongs to God. They are to distance themselves from influences that destroy the body and attempt to engage in practices that nourish and heal the body. Because practitioners of Judaism are very devoted to their faith and attempt to live by strict traditions and rules, the treatment of substance use in these individuals should incorporate aspects of faith-based or spiritually based treatments that involve family members and spiritual leaders in the overall treatment program.

Substance Abuse Treatment That Melds with Judaism

Treatment for substance use disorders is most effective when it includes the empirically driven principles (based on research findings) of effective recovery. The empirically validated principles of substance use disorder treatment establish a general overall plan and approach, but they specify that not every form of treatment will work for everyone and that the treatment program should be tailored to fit the particular needs of the person in treatment.⁴

Treatment for substance use disorders is most effective when it integrates the individual’s culture and spiritual beliefs into the program. A program that attempts to incorporate the belief system and culture of Judaism would offer specific services for individuals of this faith in addition to the standard protocols that have been used in successful recovery programs. Standard protocols include:⁴

• Medically assisted detoxification (withdrawal management or medical detox) to help individuals safely negotiate the withdrawal syndrome associated with alcohol and many drugs.
• The use of other medications when necessary.
• Focusing on substance use disorder therapy (most often, cognitive-behavioral therapy) to address the individual’s issues.
• Utilizing support from religious leaders, family members, friends, and mutual-support groups like 12-Step groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) to incorporate specific faith-based principles into the overall treatment program.
• Treating any other co-occurring mental health conditions along with the substance use disorder.
• Maintaining participation in the overall treatment program for a sufficient length of time.

The use of physicians, therapists, counselors, and mutual-support groups that are of the same faith of the person in recovery can be useful in incorporating aspects of Judaism into the overall treatment program, although this may not always be possible and certainly is not a necessary condition of treatment. The use of medication management in the treatment of an individual’s substance use issue would not violate the tenants of Judaism. Therapy operates on principles that can be easily incorporated into the tenants of Judaism. Twelve-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are faith-based programs that have a strong spiritual component to them and can easily fit into the tenants of Judaism without significant alteration. Thus, the principles used in therapy and 12-Step groups would be especially suited for a Judaism-based recovery program, and other components of the overall recovery program could follow the lead of the 12-Step program.

Some Judaism-based recovery programs incorporate principles directly from the Torah or other aspects of the religion into the program, such as utilizing core values such as:

• Emphasizing respect, dignity, and honor for all of God’s creations (kavod).
• Discovering joy and meaning in every aspect of life (simcha).
• Accepting the ability to grow and transform in a positive manner (tzmichat i’shit).
• Maintaining strong personal connections to God, the Torah, and the community (kehilla).

Finding Addiction Treatment Near You

While there are numerous faith-based recovery programs that incorporate the principles of Judaism, there are also many effective, high-quality facilities that provide spiritual components in treatment.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) operates several treatment centers throughout the United States, offers the complete continuum of care, provides individualized treatment plans, and utilizes evidence-based therapies and interventions. If you or a loved one struggle with addiction, reach out to AAC to confidentially connect with a compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigator, who can answer your questions, explain your options, and help you find the path to lasting recovery.