Not a single religious or demographic group is spared from the detrimental effects of substance abuse. Even though recent research into the prevalence of alcohol and drug related abuse in the Muslim population suggests that addiction rates may be lower among Muslims compared to other religions, it still shows that this community is partly affected by it.1

There are strong indicators that incorporating religion into substance abuse recovery programs may have positive effects on believers who are seeking treatment. Much like other religion-based treatment programs, Islamic-based rehab presents a treatment option for Muslims who wish to include their faith into their substance and alcohol addiction recovery process, and may be the practical solution they are looking for.2

The central point of an Islami rehab program is to help patients reinforce their faith and welcome a substance-free and productive lifestyle. Similarly to other comprehensive addiction treatment programs, Islamic rehab can be custom-tailored to support the full scope of an individual’s needs and focus on all aspects of their personality.3,4

What Are Islamic Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers?

While traditional approaches to substance abuse recovery typically put an emphasis on medication and psychosocial treatment, rehab centers that provide Islamic in-patient and out-patient treatment options focus on making faith an integral part of patient recovery, while combining it with other scientifically proven caregiving methods.2

An approach like this may be a good alternative to the more traditional treatment options for Muslims who feel a string connection to their religious beliefs, and may make it easier for Muslim treatment-seekers to progress in recovery.2

Some of the key points of an Islamic rehabilitation program may include:2

Introducing the Islamic faith and Allah into treatment.
Specialized therapists and counselors who can relate to the patients (e.g. male therapists for male patients).
The inclusion of family members into the therapeutic process when needed and possible.
Providing counseling and guidance to the patients in setting up goals for an Islamic-based sober life.
Supporting and encouraging the practices of daily prayer and other Muslim customs.
Providing patients with relapse prevention techniques that go in line with the teachings of Islam.
Emphasizing that addiction does not represent an unforgivable sin.

Substance Use in the Islamic Community

All demographic groups can be negatively impacted by substance abuse disorders, and the Islamic community is no exception. However, as research indicates, substance abuse rates are likely to be lower in Muslim comunities compared to others.1,5

Nevertheless, little reliable data is available on the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse in members of the Islamic communities. Due to cultural difficulties in obtaining survey information from Muslims with strong religious convictions, and due to the fact that a severe restriction on substance abuse lies at the core of the Islamic doctrine, self-reporting on the matter may not be entirely reliable.6

Most of the data collected for research purposes comes from clinical samples. This is to say that research largely relies on participants who are already in treatment centers or hospitals seeking help, and little is known about the less severe cases of substance misuse. Despite these difficulties, research has been able to show that there may be multiple factors that correlate with substance abuse prevalence within the Muslim community. For instance, studies suggest that there is a strong link between alcohol and substance abuse and the level of commitment a person has to their faith.1,6

Moreover, it is suggested that, within the Muslim population, the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse may also have a geographical variation. For example, a survey conducted among Muslim college students residing in the United States reports higher alcohol abuse rates compared to those living in other countries.7

Muslim Substance Abuse Statistics

According to a 2020 American national survey with data broken down by religious and non-religious groups, a significant portion of the Muslim community in the United States reports knowing someone in their faith group who is struggling or has struggled with alcohol and drug addiction in the past.8

However, Muslim stats on this matter are still comparably lower than those of other demographic groups. For instance, 37% of the Muslim American population reported personally knowing someone with alcohol abuse issues, while 57% of the general population admits to the same.8

Lower rates of drug and alcohol abuse in the Muslim population are supported by other surveys as well. A study from 2001, conducted among Muslim college students and Muslim teens, shows that approximately 46.6% had drunk alcohol in the previous year, compared to 80.7% of their non-muslim peers.8

To reference other potentially addictive behaviors, the same study reports that among Muslim college students 46.2% reported drinking alcohol, 24.6% admitted to using illicit drugs, 37.3% smoked cigarettes and 30.4% engaged in gambling.8

Mental Disorders in the Muslim Community

A substance abuse disorder (SUD) frequently co-occurs with other mental health disorders. In order to give results, a comprehensive addiction treatment program must take into account all the co-occuring mental disorders the patient is suffering from.4

To be able to provide adequate treatment to members of the Muslim community, therapists and caregivers need to be informed about the prevalent mental health disorders in the Islamic community.4,7

Members of Islamic faith groups may often find themselves struggling with:7

Adjustment disorder
Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety
OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder)
PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
Psychotic disorders

12-steps of Millati Islami

For patients who would like to enroll in a treatment program modeled after the Alcoholics Anonymus, but prefer the program to be rooted in Islam instead of Christianity, the 12 steps of Millati Islami may be the solution they’re looking for. Millati Islami is a recovery program established in Baltimore roughly 30 years ago, and stands for “The Path of Peace”. It represents an Islamic variant of the program broadly known as “The Twelve Steps to Recovery”.16

The individuals involved in the process, men and women alike, discuss their experiences with addiction, their hopes and strengths, while putting their faith in Allah to help them in their efforts to recover from addiction and maintain sobriety.16

Levels of Care Provided in Islamic Drug Rehab Centers

As no two addictions are the same, the treatment for them should be adjusted to best suit the needs of the patient in recovery. Similarly to other rehab centers that offer comprehensive treatment solutions for substance abuse disorders, Islamic rehab centers provide various levels of care, tailored to best fit the needs of treatment-seeking individuals.3,7

At an Islamic rehab facility, some of the treatment services and options to choose from may include:3,7

What Happens in An Islamic Alcohol and Drug Rehab Center?

Most addiction rehab centers that abide by the principles of evidence-based treatment strive to provide their patients with comprehensive care in a safe and comfortable environment. Similarly, Islamic alcohol and drug rehab centers provide a variety of services to accommodate the needs of Muslim individuals struggling with addiction.3,7

Treatment can be organized in some of the following ways, depending on which approach is expected to provide the best results:3,7

Medically supervised detox programs to help patients go through withdrawal with as little discomfort as possible.
Privatize treatment developed according to the patient’s personal needs.
12-Step program.
Assisting recovery through prayer and meditation.
Various forms of rehabilitation therapy, which may include Muslim support groups and individual therapy.
Aftercare support.

There are multiple options for adjusting and customizing the treatment to fit your needs. Many Islamic addiction treatment centers offer additional services, such as:

Couples programs – designed to help couples recover from addiction in a mutual effort
Gender-specific programs, such as women’s or men’s only addiction treatment programs
Treatment programs for veterans who struggle with addiction and co-occurring issues
Detox programs to treat opioid dependency

What Are the Factors Affecting Substance Abuse Among Muslims?

Certain socio-economic factors may make members of the Muslim community especially susceptible to engaging in substance abuse. If one or more of the following risk factors are present, the likelihood of substance abuse may become higher:6,9,10,11

The level of acculturation in a particular area – If assimilating to the dominant culture of a given area is particularly difficult, this can contribute to substance abuse, as well as to other mental health disorders that co-occur with addiction.
Alcohol and tobacco use – According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, there is a link between using alcohol and smoking tobacco. In fact, people who are dependent on tobacco are four times more likely to be dependent on alcohol, while those who have already developed an alcohol addiction are three times more likely than other members of the general population to also suffer from a tobacco dependance. Additionally, alcohol and tobacco consumption may be seen as gateway behavior leading to other substance abuse disorders.
Lack of family involvement – It is a known fact that parental involvement is crucial in the prevention of youth substance use. The absence of an adult role model, a lack of parental supervision and strong family bonds may contribute to the development of SUDs.
Low socioeconomic level – As is the case with any other demographic group, a low socio-economic standard of living can contribute to engaging in risky behavior, such as drug and alcohol consumption.

What Are the Benefits of An Islamic-Based Rehabilitation Center?

The main benefits of a Muslim program compared to a secular one, is that Islamic rehabilitation centers are better equipped to accommodate the specific needs of the Muslim population. They are designed to help the patient recover on a physical, mental and spiritual level according to the teachings of Islam and the principles of the Holy Quran.7

Some religious communities, more than others, are susceptible to stigmatizing people who struggle with alcohol and drug abuse disorders. Social stigma surrounding substance abuse is very present in Muslim communities and may discourage patients from seeking help and support in a timely manner.1,6

As part of an Islamic-based treatment program, the patients are encouraged to stop viewing addiction as an unforgivable sin and focus on their path to recovery.3

How Much Does Islamic Alcohol And Drug Rehab Program Cost?

The cost of treatment at an Islamic rehab center may vary depending on the scope, length and intensity of the treatment. As treatment is shaped after the patient’s unique needs, the scope, duration and intensity of it may vary and they will dictate the cost of treatment options.3,13

Detoxification – This is usually the first step in recovery, depending on the severity of substance dependence and which substance the patient has developed a dependance to. It may last 5, 7 or 10 days, depending on the severity of the patient’s substance use disorder.
Short-term inpatient treatment – an option that involves residing at a treatment facility and may last up to 28 or 30 days.
Long-term rehab options – typically these rehab options last 90 days or 6 months.
Outpatient care – this type of rehab doesn’t involve staying at a facility full-time, but instead offers flexibility so that the patient may continue with their day-to-day responsibilities. Recovering individuals may transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment at later stages in their recovery.
Sober living homes and other ways of providing patients with aftercare and support in maintaining sobriety.

Does Insurance Cover Islamic Alcohol And Drug Rehab Programs?

Due to the fact that addiction is a major health concern nationwide, there are laws and regulations in place to make treatment more accessible and affordable. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all health insurance plans to cover the costs of treatment for behavioral health problems in some way.9

For treatment-seekers who are uninsured or underinsured, there are multiple options to explore to get the funds that may cover the costs of rehab. Some of these options include:13

Applying for a loan
Asking friends or family members for financial assistance
Crowdfunding

How to Find Islamic-based Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers Near Me?

If you are trying to find an Islamic-based addiction treatment center in your vicinity, one of the ways to get the information you need may be to contact a 24-hour addiction helpline. At American Addiction Centers you can choose from a full scope of addiction treatment programs, including an Islamic-based one, to help you or a loved one recover from addiction.

We can help you verify whether your insurance covers the cost of treatment, introduce you to possible payment options and provide directions on finding a readily-available Islamic rehab facility to accommodate your needs. Our trained contact center dispatchers will answer your questions in strict confidence, help you prepare for rehab and assist you in initiating the admission process.

Islamic Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs or Detox Centers