Addiction/Recovery

12 Christian Foundations of Life Recovery

The Twelve Steps of Life Recovery are a set of biblical principles in addiction treatment that outline a course of action for tackling problems such as drug and alcohol addiction, overeating, sex addiction, and more. There are 12 Christian Foundations that Life Recovery is based on.

The Bible supports all the truths expressed in the Life Recovery process.
It is the foundation for recovery and—ultimately—how we should live. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16b, “It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
Jesus is not just the Higher Power of Life Recovery but the Higher Power of all people.
Here’s a counter-cultural truth: All paths do not lead to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. [Read more…]

Recovery is a Process, Not an Event

“No one thing changes everything.”—Steve Arterburn

Let’s face it: There’s no magic pill available to help us escape addiction instantaneously. It takes effort—the real work starts after we seek help.

We hoped that once we stopped using, it would be easy from then on out. But recovery is never a one-time event; we must continue to do the work. If all we do is stop using in the short-term, we’re unlikely to change in the long-term.

If we want to recover for life, we must change the way we live our life. This doesn’t happen overnight. It’s why Life Recovery is not an event but a process that involves an awareness of our thoughts, a desire to change and surrender to God. [Read more…]

Helping Without Enabling

If you have a family member who struggles with addiction, you may be tempted to take responsibility for them . . . don’t!

Truth is, you are only responsible for your choices—your loved one is responsible for theirs. One day we will all give an account to the Lord. Romans 14:12 says, “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.”

Just as you have the freedom to make your own choices, others have the freedom to make their choices. You give people freedom by not enabling them. It helps to understand the difference between enabling and helping.

What is enabling?
It’s doing for someone what they CAN do for themselves. [Read more…]

Breaking Out of the Prisons We Create

Some of us are in prison. Not a prison made of four walls, but the worst kind of prison–a self-made prison.

Our prisons are built decision by decision, habit by habit. They could be prisons of . . .

Anger, shame, or other painful emotions
Addictions or unhealthy habits
Abusive and toxic relationships

In our prisons, we get too comfortable and stay there. Why?

Because (1) working through our past trauma of anger, shame, or other painful emotions is hard, so we avoid facing the pain. [Read more…]

Depression and Addiction: What’s the Connection?

Do you struggle with depression? Have you tried to ignore it, hoping it will go away? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, having depression makes you twice as likely to have a drug or alcohol addiction compared to someone who does not have depression. When depressed, you may turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. Once it wears off and the feelings of despair return, you may increase your drug or alcohol use—this is where addiction takes root.

It is possible to get out of the pit of depression, despair, and addiction. Recognize what depression looks like. Identify the common signs of drug and alcohol addiction. Then, seek a treatment plan that works.

[Read more…]

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