By Lance Woodley, Th.M, MSW, LISW, CCTP, CMNCS – Clinical Chaplain
In the modern landscape of addiction treatment, we often speak about integrated care: the mind, the body, and the emotional self. But what about the spirit? At Hanley Center, spirituality is not an afterthought but an essential piece of the healing process. As someone who has worked as both a licensed clinical social worker and a theologian, I’ve come to see that true healing must engage every part of who we are, including the part of us that longs for meaning, purpose, and connection.
Spirituality is not confined to religion.
It is about how we live day to day, how we relate to ourselves, to others, and to something greater. That “something greater” may be defined as God, the universe, love, community, or simply beauty. In recovery, many people come to treatment having lost everything—not only relationships and physical health, but also a sense of self. I often hear patients say, “I don’t know who I am without my addiction.” The work we do in spiritual care helps people rediscover or even create that identity anew.
I am grateful to be part of a cross-functional team that treats the whole person. I walk alongside patients in grief, in spiritual emptiness, in rediscovering hope. My presence is not about preaching doctrine, but about offering presence, stillness, and safety. For some, that may mean prayer. For others, it may mean meditative rituals, creative expression, or simply sitting in silence.
Science backs this up.
Studies in neuroscience show that spiritual practices like prayer and meditation can impact the brain in powerful ways—reducing stress, strengthening emotional regulation, and even creating a sense of unity with the world around us. This aligns with Step 11 of the Twelve Steps, which speaks to “conscious contact” with a higher power through prayer and meditation. Whether that higher power is defined theologically or not, the practice of spiritual connection enhances long-term recovery.
Spiritual Rituals
Spiritual rituals are another meaningful tool. For patients who grieve the loss of their substance or feel weighed down by past trauma, we create grounding exercises using stones—a physical object that represents the emotional burden. In our labyrinth, patients walk while holding this stone, placing it at the center as a symbol of surrender and transformation.
These rituals allow individuals to reframe their experience, integrating pain into their recovery rather than avoiding it.
My own journey into this work began long before I ever arrived at Hanley Center. I am a child of addiction; my family has known the pain and loss that substance use disorder brings. I studied theology and clinical social work because I saw a need to bridge the divide between spiritual care and evidence-based treatment. At Hanley Center, I’ve been given the opportunity to do just that.
As we look toward the future of behavioral health care, I believe it is essential that we continue to expand our definition of healing. Spirituality has a place in treatment. Not as an accessory, but as a pillar. Not as a doctrine, but as an invitation.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, I encourage you to consider the whole person in the recovery process—including the heart and the spirit. Healing is not just about stopping a behavior. It’s about rediscovering who you are and reconnecting with the world around you.
And yes, there is absolutely a place for spirituality in modern addiction treatment. It might just be the place where healing begins.
Hanley Center has been helping people all over the country achieve wellness for more than 40 years. In addition to providing age- and gender-specific treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders, Hanley offers a Patriots Initiative for first responders and veterans, a program specifically for pregnant women, and a boutique residential mental health program for adults. For information on our programs, call us today: 561-841-1033.
