Addiction is an illness that recognizes no bounds in terms of culture, religion, or social status. Anyone can get addicted to alcohol, prescription medicines, or illicit substances. Addiction has long been a taboo issue in the Jewish community. Thankfully, this has changed and the community is loving and supportive, and Jewish Addiction Treatment can be a real life saver nowadays for struggling individuals.
Judaism in a Nutshell
Judaism is a Middle Eastern religion that dates back at least 4,000 years. The Torah, or sacred book of Judaism, covers commandments for practicing Jews to follow and obey God’s wishes. Abraham is a key person in the Jewish religion, and his grandson Jacob is known as Israel.
The Israelites were the descendants of Israel. The Ten Commandments are found in the Torah. The Tehakh is another religious book that includes ancient literature and the Talmud.
There are over 15 million Jews worldwide now, with roughly 80% of them living in Israel or the United States. Many Jewish believers, like those of other religions, struggle with addiction. Unfortunately, despite the fact that treatment is available, the great majority will never seek it.
Denial of Jewish Substance Abuse Disorders
The Jewish community has long believed that its members are immune to the effects of alcohol and narcotics. It’s debatable why this myth has persisted for so long, but the fact is that it depicts a culture in denial. The unwillingness of addicts to seek assistance has only increased the stigma, sense of shame, and resistance of addicts to seek help.
Addiction has long been stigmatized in all demographics, creating a barrier to treatment, but the stigma is especially strong in Jewish communities.
The Truth About Substance Abuse in Jewish Communities
According to Jewish addiction treatment groups, the percentage of Jews who abuse substances is shocking. A considerable number of patients seeking addiction treatment and persons phoning hotlines for substance abuse aid are Jewish. According to some estimates, between one-quarter and half of all persons seeking assistance. Because of the widespread denial in the Jewish community, obtaining reliable numbers is difficult.
Many Jewish organizations have avoided collecting statistics on addiction because they believe that Jews do not drink or use drugs. Regardless of religion, color, or socioeconomic status, addiction is an issue in the United States. Addiction does not discriminate, from suburban parents to rural teenagers and everyone in between.
The Evolutions of Jewish Substance Abuse Treatment
The good news is that Jewish organizations are beginning to open up about addiction. The importance of removing the stigma and shame associated with substance misuse cannot be stressed for any group of people. Still, for Jews in particular, the problem must be recognized.
Rabbis are now able to receive drug counseling training so that they can assist the addicted members of their congregations. Jewish addiction support organizations are sprouting in growing numbers. Synagogues are finally opening their doors to aid addicts from a Jewish viewpoint. In the past, many addicted Jews had no alternative but to turn to Christian support groups housed in churches.
Jewish groups have developed to assist in the treatment of addicts, community outreach, raising awareness of the problem of addiction, and raising funds to support their efforts. Some organizations are even adapting the 12 steps, which are generally a Christian-oriented approach to addiction treatment, for Jewish addicts.
Final Words
Addiction is a prevalent problem that does not discriminate based on religion or other factors. Anyone can be vulnerable to drug and alcohol misuse, and this reality must be acknowledged so that anyone who requires assistance can receive it. We can finally work on eradicating addiction if the stigma and shame surrounding it are removed.