Bible Verses About Addiction
For some individuals, the thought and belief in religion can be a powerful force, conducting them through different life events and struggles – including those with addiction.
Addiction is a unique disorder in which individuals become dependent on a substance or substances, often leading to long-term health issues to both their physical and mental well-being.
In the UK between 2024 and 2025, it was estimated that over 320,000 adults had contact with drug and alcohol treatment services – a number that has only been rising since records began (1).
When an individual is recognised to be struggling with addiction, it is always recommended that they enter some form of rehabilitation, but this can also be supplemented with additional practices – perhaps some that are more close-to-home for some individuals, including religion.
This blog post will specifically focus on how the Bible can help individuals through their addiction recovery process, including specific verses and teachings from the Christian’s holy book that many people find to be motivational and supportive during difficult times.
However, this can mean many different things to different people depending on who is asked and at what point in their rehabilitation and recovery journey.
Individuals who had religion before addiction
For some individuals, religion may have been a part of their life for a long period of time, meaning that they have a strong connection with their religion and the teachings from this.
When it comes to addiction, this can be beneficial; the individual is already aware of Christianity’s teachings within the field of addiction and temptation and can use this in their own potential recovery journey.
In addition, the Christian community often boasts a highly welcoming environment when seeking help, meaning that these individuals will often have a strong access to further support and community-based care (on top of additional and professional rehabilitation).
When someone has grown up with religion or if it has been a part of their life for a long time, this also means that these beliefs are strongly ingrained within them, adding to the support that they may feel when connecting with their religion to support themselves and their future recovery.
Individuals who turn to religion as a result of addiction
As an alternative, individuals who may have not previously considered themselves to be religious may find comfort in religion after they have begun seeking support for their addiction.
This can occur for many different reasons, including recommendations from those around them, visits from religious figures, or religious experiences.
These individuals may have a harder time in understanding religion’s teachings but can find just as much comfort in religion as those who have been religious for years, for example.
Though it is not specifically recommended, many rehabilitation service providers suggest that individuals find some form of motivation or “strength from within” while they are undergoing rehabilitative practices; this is the best way to maintain a good attitude during treatment and generally motivate them throughout the process.
Can religion and the Bible help addiction?
Studies suggest that, in some ways, religion can be a good way to boost the effectiveness of the individuals’ treatment and alleviate some specific symptoms.
As addiction can have both a physical and mental health effects, religion can be shown to help with some of these impacts.
For example, one study found that a religious intervention during treatment could reduce symptoms that are often associated with addiction such as aggression (2).
By supporting and treating small effects such as this, individuals are more likely to have a positive experience of rehabilitation and potentially see some benefits such as a more effective and efficient recovery process, especially if completed within a residential centre, for example.
The Bible: how can it help individuals struggling with addiction?
When looking at the Bible specifically, there are many ways in which individuals can draw strength and motivation for their recovery process.
If an individual is attending rehabilitation within a specialised or dedicated rehab centre, a Bible is often one of the few possessions that individuals are allowed to interact with on a regular basis.
Laptops, computers, and mobile phones are often prohibited or restricted to specific times, and Bibles can sometime even be provided by the centre itself by organisations such as The Gideons.
If an individual knows that this is something they would like to interact with while in rehab, they should ensure that this will be available before they agree to begin any treatment or enroll in a specific rehab centre.
Although “anti-religious” centres or treatment programmes are not common, it may be a potential for individuals seeking rehab outside of a rehab referral service and therefore additional caution should be had.
Specific Bible verses: where should I look?
Depending on the stage of rehabilitation that an individual is looking for, and their previous history with addiction and religion, there are many different Bible verses that these individuals could look to for inspiration and/or motivation.
In addition, various paragraphs and lines from the Bible can become a part of an individual’s everyday recovery routine, including becoming integrated into different practises and treatments while in rehabilitation.
The remainder of this blog post will outline some key phrases and parts from the Bible that may aid individuals working through their rehabilitation journey and help them to have a more complete and effective recovery process.
Romans 7:15
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”
Addiction is a disorder that often consists of the feeling of repeating mistakes and falling into old patterns of behaviours with negative consequences.
If any individual feels this way, that they are repeating mistakes over and over again, then they may find solace in the words of Paul who himself struggled with this issue.
From this paragraph, we can learn that making these mistakes over and over again may not be the end, but rather a part of the journey that leads us to seeing more clearly and, in terms of addiction, work toward a recovery regardless of the mistakes that we may have made along the way.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.”
As one of the most commonly recommended verses in the Bible for addiction and overcoming this, this verse from Corinthians specifically mentions how we, as humans, are tempted by forces beyond our control, but within God’s.
This verse suggests that although we can be tempted by substances and addiction in general, this is all part of God’s plan and he is said to be with every individual who struggles, giving them the strength to overcome addiction should these individuals choose to accept God’s help.
Even when it seems like addiction is all that an individual experiences and struggles with, this verse reminds these individuals that help is available for those who need it, and support is always with them if they keep God in mind.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Referring to those who may have had bad experiences with addiction and may be left feeling down, broken, or abandoned, this psalm reminds us that God is close by.
Addiction can often feel like a very lonely disorder; it can cause a lot of rifts between individuals and carries a lot of stigma, but individuals who read this verse should be reminded that God is always close.
Through this belief, individuals may feel as though there is someone to turn to, a source of comfort nearby, and that healing is always possible for those who let God into their lives.
Romans 5:3
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame…”
As the final recommended verse in this blog post, this Bible verse helps remind individuals struggling with addition that there is always an end to the suffering, and that brighter days lie ahead should the individual put in the effort and work on their issues effectively.
Addiction can have some serious consequences in terms of the individual’s physical and mental health, so reading this verse and being reminded of the purpose of all of their recovery can be a great way to maintain motivation and continue working on themselves and the effects of their addiction.
Beyond religion: getting professional support and rehabilitation
Bible verses alone are, unfortunately, not enough to help someone undergo a complete rehabilitation process and this is why it is always recommended to seek support and enter a specialised form of rehabilitation for the individual and their specific needs.
Rehab Recovery is an addiction referral service, helping any and all individuals who need it to seek the most appropriate and suitable form of rehabilitation for their needs.
To find out how we can help you or someone you know, contact our friendly and professional team on 0800 088 66 86 today.
References
[1] GOV.UK; Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2024 to 2025: report; 4 December 2025; https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2024-to-2025/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2024-to-2025-report
[2] Beraldo, L., Gil, F., Ventriglio, A., de Andrade, A.G., da Silva, A.G., Torales, J., Gonçalves, P.D., Bhugra, D. and Castaldelli-Maia, J.M., 2019. Spirituality, religiosity and addiction recovery: Current perspectives. Current Drug Research Reviews Formerly: Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 11(1), pp.26-32.
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