Helping with Addictions - a needed Christian Approach.

Pastor David Kay
Pastoral Ministry, Salisbury Reformed Seminary;
Former Mental Health Nurse and Lecturer, NHS

Throughout history, ideas about addiction have been informed and influenced by religious belief and practice. Even continuing into the present, religion and spirituality are often thought to impact attitudes towards addiction and its treatment, particularly given the use of religion and spirituality in various well-known treatments and counselling strategies.

Religion gives a sense of purpose, allows access to a loving and caring community and helps establish new habits. It is not surprising to learn that many people who have truly mastered recovery, award some of the credit to their religion. Experiencing faith is a major benefit not only to approach the facing of addictions, and owning them but also maintaining recovery at the end of a successful journey out of the hopelessness endured by participants.

This Programme values the role of religion when it comes to addiction recovery. However, this absolutely does not mean religious beliefs are a pre-requisite to succeeding in recovery. Countless people who identify as either atheist, or not belonging to any religious group, have succeeded in their recovery. They have benefitted greatly from the sensitive care afforded by a sincere spiritual approach.

The authors and practitioners have faith themselves in a Biblical approach to helping, challenging and guiding participants out of the addictive emotional lifestyle. They believe that following the sensible and well-worn paths of Biblical truth and faith in God through Christ, is the best and most beneficial way to help those with addictions. Indeed the most successful outcomes are marked by the benefit of having Christ’s help in the time of need.

Mr Elliott Chapman

HealthCare Support Worker, NHS

The NHS doesn’t promote any religion although actively recognises that certain beliefs can help support recovery. Christian practices such as prayer, fellowship and actively seeking a closer relationship with God can help manage stress whilst also offering hope and purpose to the individual. Aligning Christian beliefs and practices with the care and support the NHS provides can help form healthy coping strategies and empower individuals to become active members of the community.

Rev Carl Roberts
Grace and Truth Church

I am married to my wife, Vivienne. We have three boys, Nathan, Timothy and Stephen, I was called to ministry in 2004.

We minister at two locations in Swansea. One is at Bethel Mission, Brynhyfryd, where we were invited to join with them at their location. Pastor Len Lewis of Grace and Truth, ministers to the flock there.

Our new Grace and Truth church plant is on St Helens Road, Swansea, where we can be nearer to our Step by Step work location.

I was born in 1960 in Newport, South Wales, from a working-class upbringing, in a good stable family. At a very early age I started to use alcohol as a way to be more confident when socialising. By my late teens I became reliant on alcohol. I also used drinking as a comforter especially when things were not going well.

Then came the realisation that I was not in control of alcohol, but it had control of me. By my early twenties I was stuck in a cycle of work, play and drink, by my mid-twenties I felt trapped and not in control of my life. I felt a void, an emptiness, like being in a dark hole. I tried to fill with all the pleasures of the world, but nothing could fill it. I remember thinking to myself there must be more to life than this.

To cut a long story short, at a time when I was at my lowest point, I called out to God. As a child I had gone along to Sunday school and heard of the God of the Bible, but I never knew Him. After crying out to Him, He sent His Word and healed me and delivered me from my destruction. It wasn’t until I surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ that He set me free. I realise without Him in my life, I am empty, but with Him, I have a life more abundant,

I believe, Jesus is the joy of our salvation, and the Holy Spirit is the power to overcome, to no longer be a victim, but victorious in Christ.
I was set free from the bondage of drink having control of me since my late twenties. He gave me a hope and future, I forget those things which are behind and press toward the mark of our high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I welcome Pastor Park and the Twelve-week Recovery Programme, It teaches us that we were all born into sin. Dealing with it in our sinful nature, doesn’t set the prisoner free. We are powerless to overcome in our strength. The course keeps reminding us of where the strength to overcome is found, IN CHRIST alone.

The course is liberating and at the same time instructive, bringing a new convert to Christ and giving the born-again believer vital steps to overcome in Christ.

The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. I pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more workers.