Substance Abuse and Addiction

An addiction is a compulsive or physical dependence upon a substance, person, or behavior that provides a temporary sense of well-being. In a severe addiction, “well-being” may be replaced by “release from pain or discomfort.” Addiction results in harm to the person’s health, relationships, spiritual life, vocation, emotional well-being, and/or finances. The actual substance, behavior, or person the individual focuses on is not the addiction. Rather, those are the “addictive agents.” Addictive agents may include drugs, alcohol, food, sexual behavior, work and success, money, approval of others, certain types of relationships, exercise, dieting, etc.

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Information on Substance Addiction 

Understanding Addiction
This series of articles provides an overview of addiction from a Christian perspective. It helps readers to understand what addiction is, the responsibilities of the addict to seek help, and the ways that family members, friends, and churches can help. Relevant for those dealing with alcoholism, gambling addiction, nicotine addiction, drug abuse (prescription or illegal), sexual addiction, etc. [ACCFS]

Patient and Family-friendly links from MedlinePlus

• Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
• Anabolic Steroids
• Club Drugs
• Cocaine
• Drug Abuse
• Drugs and Young People
• Dual Diagnosis
• Heroin
• Inhalants
• Marijuana
• Methamphetamine
• Opioid Abuse and Addiction
• Prescription Drug Abuse
• Underage Drinking

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Spiritual Guidance for Overcoming Addiction

A Christ-Centered Twelve Step Program of Addiction Recovery
12-Step Programs are often a standard part of recovery from addictions. This document shows how each of the 12 steps fit right in line with biblical truth. The biblical concepts of humility, repentance, confession, restitution, etc. are highlighted as the pathway to overcoming addictions of all types. [ACCFS] 

Overcoming Temptation
A study by Elder Bro. Lynn Stieglitz on how to wage a successful battle with our spiritual enemy, using faith and the armor of God.  The author describes how the “shield of faith” can extinguish “fiery darts” and explains why God helps us to endure some temptations and directs us to flee from others.

When We Just Can’t Stop: Overcoming Addiction
Battling to conquer addiction is one of the most difficult challenges in life. However, you will find help and encouragement in the pages of this booklet as the authors examine the destructive cycle and what it takes to stop it. Discover how you can be satisfied and complete in God, as you surrender to Him the broken pieces of your life—only He can put them back together again. [ODB Ministries]

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Tools for Addiction Recovery

Three Keys to Recovery
Recovery from addictions, unacceptable behaviors, and broken relationships is hard work. While there are many types of recovery paths and programs, there are three fundamental attributes common to almost all of them: Accountability, Honesty, and Humility. [ACCFS]

Emotional & Physical Danger Signs for Acting Out
This document lists emotional and physical states that you may feel when you get the urge to act on unhealthy, sinful, and/or addictive impulses (e.g., desire to drink, binge or purge, allowing impure sexual fantasy to run, etc.). By becoming aware of these triggers, you can begin to use healthy, Christ-honoring coping skills to deal with them more effectively.  [ACCFS]

Celebrate Recovery Christ-Centered Recovery Program: Find a Group Located Near You

Workplace Addiction Help: Practical Steps Employers Can Take
Substance abuse impacts more than just those addicted and their loved ones. This website gives practical tips employers can use to help their employees overcome addiction. [Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation]

Online Guide to Quitting Smoking
This website provides information and support to individuals wanting to stop smoking. Information and downloadable brochures are available on topics such as preparing to quit, options to help you quit, dealing with cravings, etc. [Smokefree.gov]

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Support Options

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
This Lifeline is for people experiencing a crisis and is available 24/7 in the United States. If you need help for yourself, a friend, or family member, call or text 988 right away.

Lifeline Crisis Chat

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Grants for Addiction Treatment 

Ashes to Glory Foundation   This foundation provides grants for individuals receiving treatment at facilities with the following program characteristics:

1. The facility must provide Christ-centered counseling and must provide professional counseling which can be evidenced by licensed counselors with a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling, preferably including marriage and family therapy.
2. The facility must have appropriate patient/counselor ratios (to be determined by the board of directors.)
3. The facility must also incorporate a minimum 90-day residential program (the board will consider shorter programs for issues other than substance abuse on the case-by-case basis.)
4. Finally, the facility should, when appropriate, incorporate family therapy to provide the family with the necessary skills to support the individual seeking treatment. We will consider helping with any type of addiction.
   

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Help for Family Members 

Love First: A Family’s Guide to Intervention 
Author: Jeff & Debra Jay
This 360-page book discusses how to approach a loved one to help them seek treatment for addiction or other life-dominating condition.

 

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