I’ve mentioned previously some good resources in overcoming pornography. Today’s post highlights the Church’s Addiction Recovery Program for alcohol, drugs, tobacco, coffee, tea, pornography, inappropriate sexual behavior, gambling, codependency, and eating disorders.
The program is an LDS adaptation of traditional 12-step programs that have been used successfully for years. LDS Family Services runs these groups to assist individuals who desire freedom from addiction and a better life through gospel fellowship. The 60-90-minute meetings are free and confidential. Experienced group leaders create a safe environment where participants can encourage one another and implement gospel principles in their efforts to recover and heal.
The manual used in the program provides the following introduction:
“Whether you yourself struggle with addiction or associate with someone who does, this guide can be a blessing in your life. The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have been adapted into a framework of the doctrines, principles, and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are presented in this guide as key principles at the beginning of each section. This guide will help you learn how to apply these key principles; they can change your life…
“Church leaders and counseling professionals have also been involved in writing and developing this guide. The combined wisdom and experience of these many authors stands as yet another witness of the reality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the possibility of recovery from addiction.”
The guide includes quotes from general authorities, scriptures, and lots of questions to ask yourself. You can download a free copy of the Addiction Recovery guide in PDF format in 13 languages, order it online, or get one from your local Distribution Center. It is intended to be a workbook and reference for those attending addiction recovery support groups sponsored by LDS Family Services (see this list of addiction recovery support groups to find the one nearest you), but it can also be used by those who are not near a support group who are willing to work one-on-one with a bishop or a professional counselor. It can also be used as a great study manual even if you don’t have any addictions.
The 12 steps/principles that are taught are:
- Honesty
- Hope
- Trust in God
- Truth
- Confession
- Change of Heart
- Humility
- Seeking Forgiveness
- Restitution and Reconciliation
- Daily Accountability
- Personal Revelation
- Service
As we look topics about which people are searching when they find our website, we see regular searches on the topic of overcoming addiction. Thank you for providing this information…the more sites that have information like this, the better!
FYI, we also recently published a post on this topic, including a brief interview with a woman who works with her husband as a service missionary in this program, if anyone is interested.
We agree that this guide is helpful for anyone interested in overcoming any weakness — not just classic addictions.
I understand addiction because I suffured from a crack cocaine addiction for 7 years that almost killed me. Addiction is real and it does not matter what color you are or how much money you have. I’m glad churches are dealng with addiction as an addiction and not as a sin. It’s a disease or at least a lot of people believe it is. I talk about my struggels in my new book http//www.strategicbookpublishing.com/godareyoumadatme.html I talk about how I tried AA and other programs but I decided to take another way for help and it was get a personal relationship with God. I waited and cried and waited and cried but when I stopped, I knew it was real.
I think Harold has the right idea – it IS from a strong personal relationship with God that addiction is overcome. Developing THAT personal relationship is at the core of the ARP program. Step by step, participants follow a path that leads to submission to the will of God. Each participant becomes dependent on the atonement, on the love and on the mercy of Christ to achieve that goal. In the handbook “Addiction Recovery Program”, the 12 steps are a path that leads to Christ.
Don’t dismiss the value of the program. The participants are looking for, finding and embracing the same thing you are – a relationship with God.
I am gratefull that we have a great way to have a healthy life and a healthy soul.. =) Thanks. God bless…
Deliverance From Hell
My friends I love you, he said with a smile
May we walk, may we talk, just for a short while
A story I’ll tell you, a story of grief
Of sadness and sorrow, I felt no relief
Except in a bottle and maybe a pill
Or some other drug, drugs that can kill
Dead feelings of love, dead feelings of joy
Only feelings of anger I began to employ
’Til my life a mere shambles, disease takes its toll
Who is this man wearing my clothes
Knowing not who I am, I came to rest
To listen, to learn, learn from the best
A summit on high, full of love and devotion
A compassionate family, sharing emotion
I’ve learned from each one, yes, each one a true gem
Learning from all, surrender to win
To stay clean and sober twenty four at a time
Live life to the fullest with each step that I climb
As I walk out these doors,
To each one I’ll tell,
Thank you all for deliverance,
Deliverance from Hell
Brett Martin Smith © 1989