Catholic Prayer for Addiction, Sobriety and Recovery

Addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling or pornography is a real slavery, and no one escapes it by willpower alone; but no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. The Church offers prayer, the sacraments, the friendship of the saints and the support of others on the road to recovery. Below are Catholic prayers for a person struggling with addiction, for sobriety one day at a time, for families who suffer alongside them, the patron saints of alcoholics and addicts, Scripture for the struggle, and practical steps toward help.

A prayer for freedom from addiction

Written for this page:

Lord Jesus Christ, you came to set captives free.
You know the chains I cannot break by myself.
I admit that I am powerless over (alcohol, drugs, this addiction),
and I turn my life and my will over to your care.
Give me the grace to stay sober today,
the humility to ask for help,
and the courage to begin again each time I fall.
Heal the wounds that drive me to escape,
and fill the emptiness in my heart with your love. Amen.

A prayer for sobriety, one day at a time

Lord, I do not ask for strength for a lifetime, only for today.
Keep me sober from this morning until tonight.
When the craving comes, help me to call on your name,
to call a friend, and to walk away.
Tonight I will thank you for this day of freedom. Amen.

This prayer was written for this page.

A prayer for a loved one struggling with addiction

Father of mercy, I entrust to you (name), whom I love,
who is caught in addiction.
Protect him (her) from harm and from despair,
open his (her) eyes to the need for help,
and lead him (her) to people who can walk with him (her) to recovery.
Give me wisdom to love without enabling, patience without bitterness,
and peace, knowing that you love him (her) even more than I do.
St. Monica, who never stopped praying for your son, pray for us. Amen.

This prayer was written for this page.

A prayer for families of addicts

Lord, our family is weary and wounded by addiction.
Heal our hurts, protect our children,
help us to set healthy limits and to forgive,
and give us hope that you can make all things new. Amen.

This prayer was written for this page.

Patron saints of alcoholics and addicts

Venerable Matt Talbot (1856–1925), a Dublin laborer who began drinking heavily as a boy, took a pledge of sobriety at twenty-eight and, with prayer, daily Mass and penance, stayed sober for forty-one years. He is widely invoked by those struggling with alcoholism.
St. Monica (August 27), who prayed for years for her son Augustine; St. Augustine tells in his Confessions that as a girl she nearly fell into the habit of drinking wine. See the St. Monica prayer.
St. Maximilian Kolbe (August 14), invoked by those addicted to drugs, since he was killed with a lethal injection. See the St. Maximilian Kolbe prayer.
St. Jude (October 28), patron of desperate cases. See the St. Jude prayer.
St. Mary of Egypt, who turned from a life of lust and excess to years of penance in the desert.

Scripture for the struggle

Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.

And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful.

Practical steps toward help

Tell someone. Speak to a doctor, a counselor, a priest or a trusted friend. Secrecy feeds addiction.
Get professional help. Addiction is also a medical condition; detox and treatment may be needed and can be dangerous without supervision.
Join a support group. Many Catholics find help in twelve-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Al-Anon for families, or in Catholic recovery programs offered by some parishes and dioceses.
Go to confession and Mass. The sacraments give grace for the battle; confession frees from guilt and shame. See how to go to confession.
Avoid the occasions. Change routines, places and company that lead to using.

In the United States, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) offers free, confidential referral 24 hours a day. If you are in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, call or text 988.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the patron saint of alcoholics?

Venerable Matt Talbot is the best-known patron of those struggling with alcoholism; St. Monica is also invoked.

Who is the patron saint of addiction?

St. Maximilian Kolbe is often invoked for drug addiction, along with Venerable Matt Talbot and St. Jude, patron of desperate cases.

Is addiction a sin?

The choices that lead into addiction can be sinful, but addiction itself also involves illness and diminished freedom, which can lessen personal responsibility. God’s mercy is always offered, and the Church encourages both the sacraments and medical help.

Can prayer cure addiction?

Prayer opens the door to God’s grace, which is essential, and God often works through doctors, counselors and support groups. Pray and also seek help.

More prayers

Texts and sources

St. Augustine, Confessions IX.8 (St. Monica’s youth).
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
The prayers were written for this page.