Christian Eating Disorder Treatment
The need for Christian eating disorder treatment centers
Over the past couple of decades, eating disorders and the facilities that treat them have evolved in much the same manner that substance addiction facilities and programs have. Both fields started in similar fashion with the original facilities using a generalized approach to treating eating disorders and substance abuse. In a sense, eating disorders and drug abuse are treated in interrelated fashion since they have the tendency to occur in conjunction with one another.
For instance, bulimia is oftentimes accompanied by depression although it is difficult to determine which one of the two came first. However, this evolvement of and increase in the number of treatment therapies is no different from what was experienced in the field of addiction treatment and recovery. We went from a one-size-fits-all approach with the client to more needs-oriented and specialized programs such as gender specific, luxury, and private rehab programs.
We also witnessed the onset of faith-based or Christian eating disorder treatment programs. These programs can be very specific, catering to a single religious sector or they can be more generic and cater to anyone with an eating disorder but has spiritual needs as well as emotional, mental, and physical ones. All too often eating disorder and substance abuse treatment and recovery centers neglect or overlook the fact that certain individuals have a need to rekindle their faith and get back on their spiritual paths.
How are Christian eating disorder treatment programs different from others?
Granted, Christian eating disorder treatment programs use a number of the same treatment and recovery therapies that most other facilities do. However, there are additional recovery tools provided to the individual with the eating disorder who enters a Christian program:
- 12-Step programs
- candlelit prayer and reflection sessions
- guided bible studies
- Christian-based lectures and church sermons
- Counseling sessions led by ministers or pastors
- regular church services
All of these elements play a significant role in Christian eating disorder treatment programs and enable their clients to overcome the disorder and recover from it successfully. At the same time, the individual is able to walk their spiritual paths again like they were before the eating disorder took control of their lives.
For more information on Christian eating disorder treatment programs, please contact the Harmony Grove eating wellness center at the toll-free phone number listed above.