6 Bible Verses to Overcome Addiction
None of our struggles or battles are foreign to God. He knows our weaknesses and our wounds. In the face of addiction—whether to drugs, alcohol, sex, video games, gambling, screens, work, or emotional dependency—we are not alone. He is there to support us, carry us, and guide us on a path to freedom. Here are key Bible verses to accompany, strengthen, and pray through the fight against addiction.
1. Recognizing Addictive Behaviors Under God’s Light
“‘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.” (1 Corinthians 6:12)
2. Asking for God’s Help
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1–2)
Read all of Psalm 121 for divine support.
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13, NIV)
3. Finding Rest in Christ
“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.” (Matthew 11:28–30, NIV)
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34, NIV)
4. Holding onto Hope for Deliverance
“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.” (Psalm 107:13–14, NIV)
For more verses:
Supporting Your Recovery Through Prayer
Healing from addiction is a journey—one that often requires professional support alongside spiritual strength. In prayer, we can ask God:
For perseverance on this path,
For grace to rise after failures,
For wise, compassionate people to walk alongside us.
Explore:
Praying the Psalms (to express fear, anger, pain, hope, and gratitude). Key Psalms:
With Hozana, Pray for Those Struggling with Addiction
Join these prayer communities:
- (e.g., Our Lady of Lourdes)
You can also submit a prayer request to invite others to pray with you.
FAQ on Prayer for Addiction and Dependency
Which Psalm can help combat addiction?
A powerful Psalm for courage and divine help in the struggle against addiction is Psalm 27:
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (
This Psalm reminds us that we are never alone in our battles.
Which saints can we pray to for addiction?
St. Michael the Archangel: For inner strength and liberation from spiritual strongholds.
Blessed Carlo Acutis (patron of the internet): Especially for digital addictions (e.g., screen time, cyber-pornography).
St. John the Baptist: A model of sobriety and self-discipline—ideal for dependencies like alcohol, food, or materialism.
What does the Bible say about addiction?
Beyond grand narratives, Scripture offers practical wisdom for daily life. This verse from Paul helps us evaluate habits that could become addictive:
“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.” (1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV)
