There were almost 18 million Jews in the world in 2018 according to Berman Jewish DataBank. Even though they represent a tiny fraction of the total world population, Jewish people have made a lasting contribution in all fields of technology, science, and the overall development of Western culture during their long, unique, and proud history.1

Unfortunately, since substance use problems are affecting the entire nation, Jewish people are not spared from challenges related to drug and alcohol use. Addiction is bound to represent a stubborn challenge irrespective of people’s demographic or religious background. Adherence to religious doctrines and a high level of religious attendance has a protective effect when it comes to substance use, but these protective benefits tend to diminish with exposure to substance use.2

There is some evidence that religiosity plays a positive role in abstinence. Still, it’s extremely important to reduce the stigma associated with substance use and mental health issues within certain religious circles. Stigma is more associated with drug use than with alcohol consumption. Judaism and alcohol have a long relationship since alcohol plays a part in ritual observance and religious ceremonies within the Jewish community. Alcohol may be less stigmatized than drugs, but at the same time, this makes it much more available and acceptable as a substance of choice for struggling individuals.3

The downside of tight-knit religious communities is that people may be afraid to come out with their substance use issues for fear of being shunned or ostracized by their loved ones. Sometimes, deeply religious people aren’t aware of the availability of Jewish rehab programs that are specifically designed to meet the unique demands of Jewish communities.2

What Are Jewish Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers?

Alcohol and drug addiction is a potentially life-threatening condition that has negative consequences for both the mental and physical health of afflicted individuals. For this reason, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as the first symptoms appear, whether they are physical or mental, mild or severe. There were 16,066 rehab centers in 2020 in the US that offered some type of alcohol and drug rehabilitation.4

Jewish alcohol and drug rehab centers offer rehab programs that combine proven medical procedures with core Jewish principles and beliefs. Jewish rehabilitation programs rely on spirituality as a positive influence and a solid building block on which to base a patient’s long-term sobriety. Most rehab centers which offer Jewish alcohol and drug rehab programs are also open to people who are not Jewish themselves.5

Substance Use in the Jewish Community

Unlike some other religions, Judaism doesn’t forbid the drinking of alcoholic beverages, but it’s strict in its consumption rules and opposes all forms of drunkenness. Its relationship to drugs is less forgiving since it forbids the use of all illicit drugs. In certain cases, this strict attitude towards drugs is what is keeping suffering Jews from turning to professional help for substance use issues.6

Measuring substance use among religious communities always represented a challenge in itself. These communities are usually closely integrated and in some cases suspicious of outside influences. According to available research, the Jewish population had lower rates of drug abuse than other parts of society. On the other hand, the rates of alcohol abuse and use of other addictive substances were comparable or slightly higher among Jews than among other populations in the US.7

Jewish Substance Abuse Statistics

There is a myth among Jewish people that Jews don’t suffer from substance addiction and that there aren’t many Jews in recovery. Since some members of the Jewish community believe in this myth, they tend to think that they won’t come into contact with people who have addiction issues daily. But research shows that as much as 1 in 5 Jews have a family member with a history of substance use. Even a greater number of Jews know someone who has trouble with some type of addiction.6

For instance, research among Jews in Canada found that roughly 11% of the Canadian Jewish population had substance use issues. But, empirical evidence on the topic of addiction among Jewish communities remains limited. What is certain is the fact that there are big differences between different denominations of Judaism, with substance use being more widespread among non-Orthodox than among the Orthodox community.3

Mental Disorders in the Jewish Community

Addiction is a mental health issue and has to be treated as such. The problem with substance use is that it frequently overlaps with other mental health concerns. In some cases, it’s hard to figure out which came first. Another problem is that they tend to aggravate each other. People with issues like depression or PTSD look to substance use to mitigate their pain. But it can also work the other way around, with people who have a history of substance use developing mental health conditions like anxiety or ADHD.8

This overlapping of substance use and mental health conditions is called a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. Individuals with co-occurring disorders have to turn to professional help before things spiral out and become worse. There are specialized programs that are designed to treat dual diagnosis cases among the Jewish population.9

Jewish 12-Step Programs

Original 12-Step programs base their recovery on surrendering to a higher being. In the beginning, this higher being was identified with the Christian conception of God, but with the success of 12-Step programs treatment was adapted to meet the needs of individuals from different religious backgrounds. Jewish Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-Step programs focus on inner growth. They do this by using a unique faith-based approach that incorporates traditional Jewish rituals and sacred doctrines to provide Jews in recovery with tools for lasting sobriety.5

Levels of Care Provided in Jewish Drug Rehab Programs

Mental health problems are very individual and differ greatly from person to person. Even people who use the same type of substance, who’ve been using for a comparable amount of time, and even those who consume in similar amounts, won’t necessarily develop the same symptoms or suffer from the same consequences. Unlike physical ailments, like a broken leg or tonsillitis, many factors are at play and there is no universal treatment that is applicable in all circumstances.10

It’s best to see a doctor who will look into your case and make an assessment before recommending one of the available treatments, including:10

Inpatient programs for people who are unable to function freely due to their addiction issues and need professional help in a structured environment.
Outpatient programs for those whose addiction is not so severe, or those who can’t commit to spending their days inside a Jewish rehabilitation center.
Sober living for those who don’t have a stable living arrangement and need a trigger-free and supportive environment to remain sober.
Aftercare and other support group mechanisms which help people who finished treatment but don’t feel ready to return to their everyday lives.

What Happens in a Jewish Alcohol and Drug Rehab Program?

Jewish alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs combine the best standards of medical practice and clinical procedures which were proven over time with traditional Jewish rituals and beliefs. Another important aspect of Jewish rehab programs is that they offer individually tailored treatment programs of different types.8

In most cases, Jewish recovery consists of:10

Medical detox for those that need to cleanse before entering into treatment.
Jewish rehabilitation therapies that are adjustable and vary in terms of intensity and duration.
Individual sessions where professionals work on specific underlying issues of addiction.

What are the Benefits of Jewish Drug Rehab Programs?

The beneficial role of spiritual growth for rehab patients has been known for some time. There is ample research that shows that religion plays an important role in ensuring patients experience fewer relapse episodes and stay sober for longer periods. Spirituality is an important foundation of Jewish drug and alcohol rehab programs which promote long-term betterment through:11

Respect an understanding of the specific needs of different religious movements within Judaism.
Faith-based recovery which builds inner strength and satisfaction through religious belonging and focus.
Follow-up care that helps people slowly return to their lives during the crucial post-rehab process.

How Much Does Jewish Alcohol and Drug Rehab Program Cost?

Rehab programs vary greatly in terms of duration and overall approach. In addition to this, there are numerous other factors that make it very hard to calculate the cost of Jewish treatment. Different modalities will require a different duration of treatment so it’s advisable to first choose an appropriate form of treatment before trying to calculate the overall costs.8

Although long-term inpatient programs may be more expensive, they still offer the most complete type of care inside a structured environment that will greatly aid patient’s recovery, both in terms of the availability of medical professionals and the quality of clinical tools and amenities like a private room. Duration of rehab programs varies greatly, but they usually include:8

Detoxification procedures which last from 3 to 5 days, or up to 10 days or two weeks for more stubborn cases of addiction.
Inpatient programs last at least 28 or 30 days, but it’s highly recommended that patients commit to a 90-day rehab program for best results.
Residential rehab programs last longer than 3 months, in some cases for 6 months, a year, or even longer for people who have to completely turn their lives around due to serious addiction issues.
Outpatient treatment can last as long as needed since patients continue leading their lives and only visit the Jewish rehab center for appointed sessions. The number and duration of weekly sessions are adjusted according to each case.
Sober living and halfway homes are designed to help people avoid triggers in their everyday lives and provide a beneficial and supportive environment that fosters sobriety.

Does Insurance Cover Jewish Alcohol and Drug Rehab Program?

Since Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, rehab programs for substance use are mandated coverage as one of the essential health benefits. ACA defines mental health issues as 1 of 10 health benefits that Marketplace insurance plans have to cover and Jewish-based rehabs are no different. The amount and duration of coverage will depend on the specific healthcare plan the person has.12

If you have questions about the extent of your coverage, call the number on the back of your insurance card. If you don’t have insurance, you can explore other financing options like state and government grants, crowdfunding, loans from friends and family, or different financial institutions.

How to Find Jewish-Based Alcohol and Drug Rehab Center Near Me?

If you’re looking for proven and reliable rehab centers, American Addiction Centers (AAC) has multiple options to choose from. AAC is the biggest provider of rehab solutions in the country with the largest network of top-notch recovery facilities that are located in every corner of the US. AAC offers various types of programs including luxury rehabs for those who expect only the best service.

Call AAC’s helpline and their team of knowledgeable admissions navigators will quickly hook you up with the best Jewish rehabilitation centers which specialize in the type of treatment that you need. While you are on the phone, AAC’s staff can check and verify your insurance, including the benefits you are entitled to, the extent of your coverage, and payment details that need sorting out.

If you are suffering from addiction issues but have no one to talk to inside your community, AAC’s team is trained to help people confront their substance use. AAC’s helpline will help you learn more about the benefits of different Jewish treatment approaches, details concerning the intake process, how to get ready for rehab, and what to pack for treatment. All calls have a strict confidentiality guarantee so you don’t have to worry about opening up about tricky topics.

Jewish Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs Near Me