Addiction isolates you in ways that are hard to explain to people who haven’t experienced it. You’re trapped in a cycle you hate but can’t seem to break, watching yourself make choices you swore you’d never make again. The shame is crushing, the relapses are devastating, and the voice that says you’ll never truly be free gets louder with each failed attempt at sobriety. You’ve hurt people you love, lost opportunities you can’t get back, and sometimes you wonder if you’re too broken for even God to fix.
Recovery isn’t a straight line. It’s messy, painful, and humbling. Some days you feel strong and hopeful. Other days, the cravings are overwhelming, and one bad moment could undo months of progress. You’re learning to face emotions you’ve been numbing for years, rebuild trust you’ve destroyed, and figure out who you are without the substance or behavior that’s defined you for so long. The journey feels impossible when you’re in the middle of it.
These verses won’t make addiction disappear or guarantee you’ll never struggle again. But they reveal a God who specializes in redeeming broken people, who offers strength for battles you can’t win alone, and who sees you as more than your worst moments. Freedom is possible, even when you can’t see how from where you’re standing.
Bible Verses for Addiction Recovery
1. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God Will Provide a Way Out
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
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2. Philippians 4:13 – I Can Do All This Through Christ
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
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3. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – The Old Has Gone, the New Is Here
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
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4. Romans 12:2 – Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
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5. 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Be Alert and Resist the Devil
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
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6. Galatians 5:1 – It Is for Freedom That Christ Has Set Us Free
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
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7. John 8:36 – If the Son Sets You Free
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
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8. Romans 6:12-14 – Do Not Let Sin Reign
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
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9. Psalm 34:18 – The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
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10. James 4:7 – Resist the Devil
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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11. 1 Corinthians 6:12 – I Will Not Be Mastered by Anything
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
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12. Proverbs 23:29-35 – Who Has Woe? Who Has Sorrow?
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.
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13. Psalm 107:13-14 – He Saved Them from Their Distress
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.
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14. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God Gave Us a Spirit of Power
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
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15. Romans 8:1 – No Condemnation for Those in Christ
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
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16. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Your Body Is a Temple
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
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17. Philippians 4:8 – Think About Such Things
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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18. Isaiah 43:18-19 – See, I Am Doing a New Thing
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
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19. Hebrews 12:1 – Throw Off Everything That Hinders
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
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20. Galatians 5:22-23 – The Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
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21. Psalm 40:2 – He Lifted Me Out of the Slimy Pit
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
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22. Romans 7:18-19 – I Have the Desire to Do Good
For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
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23. 1 John 1:9 – If We Confess Our Sins
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
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24. Psalm 51:10 – Create in Me a Pure Heart
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
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25. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, All Who Are Weary
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
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26. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
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27. Proverbs 20:1 – Wine Is a Mocker
Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
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28. Romans 6:22 – Now That You Have Been Set Free
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
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29. Psalm 119:9 – How Can a Young Person Stay Pure?
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
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30. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 – Let Us Be Sober
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
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31. Joel 2:25 – I Will Repay You for the Years
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.
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32. Ephesians 5:18 – Do Not Get Drunk on Wine
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
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33. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His Mercies Are New Every Morning
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
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34. Titus 2:11-12 – Grace Teaches Us to Say No
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
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35. Isaiah 40:31 – Those Who Hope in the Lord Will Renew Their Strength
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
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Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Addiction Recovery
Paul’s honest struggle in Romans 7 mirrors the addict’s experience: wanting to do good but feeling powerless to follow through. Scripture doesn’t minimize the reality that breaking free from addiction is a battle. It acknowledges the pull of sin, the weakness of flesh, and the genuine difficulty of change. But it also offers hope that transformation is possible through Christ’s power, not just human willpower. Recovery isn’t about trying harder in your own strength but surrendering to God’s strength working through you.
The Bible also addresses the shame that keeps people trapped. Romans 8:1 declares no condemnation for those in Christ. However, that doesn’t excuse destructive behavior, but it removes the crushing shame that makes recovery feel impossible. God sees you as more than your addiction. He calls you a new creation, offers forgiveness when you confess, and provides a way out of temptation even when it feels overwhelming. His mercies are new every morning, which means yesterday’s relapse doesn’t define today’s possibilities.
Community matters deeply in recovery. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes confession, accountability, and bearing one another’s burdens. Addiction thrives in isolation but loses power when exposed to light and supported by others walking the same path. Recovery isn’t just about stopping destructive behavior. It’s about building a new life with new patterns, new relationships, and a new identity rooted in Christ rather than in what controlled you.
Say This Prayer
God, I’m trapped in an addiction that’s destroying my life, and I can’t break free on my own. I’ve tried to quit countless times and failed. The shame is overwhelming, the cravings are powerful, and I’m scared that I’ll never truly be free. I need Your help desperately because my strength isn’t enough.
Break the chains that bind me. Give me power to resist when temptation comes, wisdom to avoid situations that trigger me, and courage to reach out for help when I’m struggling. Surround me with people who will support my recovery, hold me accountable, and remind me of who I am in You when I forget.
Heal the pain I’ve been medicating with this addiction. Help me to face emotions I’ve been numbing and to find healthy ways to cope instead of returning to what’s destroying me. Forgive me for the people I’ve hurt, the opportunities I’ve wasted, and the ways I’ve dishonored the body You gave me.
I’m asking for freedom, knowing that it will be a process and not instant. Give me strength for today, one moment at a time. Remind me that Your mercies are new every morning and that recovery is possible through Your power. Make me new.
In Jesus’ liberating name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.