The Spirituality of Recovery

The Spirituality of Recovery

At ISP, we believe spirituality has an important role to play in breaking the cycle of homelessness and substance use addiction.  

Over 25 years of experience with individuals in recovery has shown us that being able to nurture an authentic, lived spirituality within a supportive community can be critical for those trying to rebuild their lives, secure stable housing and maintain long term sobriety.

 

Indeed, a growing body of social science research shows that spirituality and spiritual beliefs can help guide positive decisions and behaviors and foster an increased quality of life, especially among those struggling with homelessness and chronic addiction issues. These studies indicate that a strong spiritual foundation can promote a sense of comfort, wholeness, and self-efficacy that heightens growth and development and supports long-term sobriety and recovery.1 Moreover, for those who have experienced repeated periods of homelessness or relapse, healthy spiritual beliefs can provide hope and assurance that a path out of homelessness is even possible. 2

These studies indicate that a strong spiritual foundation can promote a sense of COMFORT, WHOLENESS, and SELF-EFFICACY

More than ever, experts who study homelessness, trauma and addiction recognize that successful, long-term recovery requires a holistic approach and care for the whole person that goes beyond simply providing for physical necessities. In addition to securing basic needs like housing, employment, access to mental health services, etc, recovery involves rebuilding one’s inner sense of identity, purpose and hope. It requires a strength of conviction that I am loved, that I matter. It requires a community where I am valued and I belong. Strength to move forward in the face of temptation and despair. Learning to heal and forgive–myself and others. The ability to find peace, joy and meaning in ways that don’t involve substances.

Guided by the wisdom of the Ignatian spirituality and interwoven with traditional 12-Step approaches, ISP retreat programs offer individuals recovering from homelessness and addiction a chance to take time away to reflect on and deepen their relationship with the God of their understanding, to gently name the places inside that need healing, and to bond with others on the journey.

Our participants are invited and welcomed into a sacred place and time to explore their relationship with God, be a part of a connected community of others on the journey of recovery, and come back home to themselves. 

Over 90% of participants tell us at the end of their retreat experience that:

  • they feel part of a community
  • the retreat helped their recovery and/or spiritual journey 
  • they believe change is possible

Through ISP programs, participants are empowered to strive to reach goals and access services that lead to more stable housing, continued sobriety, better job and educational opportunities, and reconnection with their families. Many of our alumni join ISP as team members and leaders across our network. 

Our participants are invited and welcomed into a sacred place and time to explore their relationship with God, be a part of a connected community of others on the journey of recovery, and COME BACK HOME to themselves.

1  Washington et. al., 2009; DiClemente, 2013; Cleary & Donahue, 2018
2  Belcher, 2003; Gash et. al., 2014