As is the case with members of all religions, sometimes practitioners of Wicca suffer from addiction. Although this disease causes a great deal of pain and hardship for those who experience it and their families, recovery is possible. Luckily, there are a number of Wiccan drug and alcohol rehab options available, along with many non-Wiccan programs that provide first-class care to Wiccans.
Wicca is a modern Pagan religion that honors a tradition of Witchcraft, which is a spiritual system that encourages learning and an understanding of the earth and nature. Witchcraft itself is not a religion but Wicca is recognized as a religion in many countries. Paganism is an umbrella term for any non-Abrahamic religion, usually originating from Western Europe. Wicca is recognized by the United States as an official religion but differs a bit from the official definition of religion which is “a belief in and reverence for a supernatural power recognized at the creator and governor of the universe.” Wiccans believe there is a higher power defined as One or All, but it does not rule over the Universe because it IS the Universe.
This supreme energy force is often referred to as the Goddess and God, or feminine and masculine energy. In addition, many Wiccan traditions focus on the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water plus the element of Spirit. These elements are considered the building blocks of the Universe, present in everything throughout our world. The elements are typically invoked at the beginning of a ritual or may be asked for help in magical work. For Wiccans, magic is not so much a “belief” as it is a practice. Spells are considered ritual formulas, or a series of steps, to direct psychic energy to accomplish a desired end. The energy is drawn for the Earth with the assistance of the elements, concentrated and released into the world to achieve a positive goal. Spells used for Magic can be compared to prayer in other religions. Unlike most other religions, Wicca is not a missionary religion, so Witches do not try and convert. Instead, Witches believe that if it is the right path for you, you will find your way to it. Wicca is a spiritual system that nourishes free thought and will of the individual as a way of life.
Wiccans hold a strong belief on individual autonomy and believe as long as a person can be responsible, the use of alcohol and other substances are a matter of personal choice. Wiccan gatherings will sometimes include wine at a ceremony but there are several covens dedicated to serving people in recovery. On the other hand, when it comes to illegal drugs, no reputable coven will endorse the use of drugs in a ritual or ceremony. Drug and alcohol consumption to the point of losing self-control or putting others’ well-being at risk is seen negatively. Fortunately, there are many Wiccan and Pagan drug and alcohol rehab programs, and many other programs that serve the Wiccan community. Wicca encourages a spiritual path towards balance, harmony, and personal responsibility, so for some witches, recovery or drug and alcohol rehab becomes a part of the spiritual practice itself.
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Pagans in Recovery (PIR) is a phrase used to describe the efforts to achieve abstinence or the remission of addictive behaviors through twelve-step programs like Alcoholic Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon/Alateen, etc. Many Wiccans in recovery prefer this approach over traditional twelve-step meetings that tend to use Christian prayers, make it difficult to find supportive sponsors, and assume a person’s Higher Power is male. Wiccans will sometimes use these traits of traditional rehab as an excuse to avoid getting help for addiction. Pagan twelve-step meetings follow the same format as traditional meetings except they use Pagan friendly readings and substitute Pagan friendly prayers for the Serenity Prayer. If you have tried traditional alcohol and drug rehab programs but did not have success, try finding a local group with like-minded individuals.
There are several books and websites dedicated to Wiccans battling substance abuse and many support groups are starting to meet in local occult stores. Additionally, more hospitals and medical facilities now offer Pagan chaplaincies and many Unitarian Universalist Churches offer Pagan and Wiccan friendly recovery support group meetings. The first step towards recovery is taking action. If you or a loved one is battling with drug or alcohol abuse, contact a treatment specialist to discover your options.