Drug Addiction- Something Faith-Based Communities Can Help With?

Many members of different faith communities come across something they had no idea they would need to address- drug abuse and drug addiction.

While trying to minister to those in their care, what do they do when confronted with an obvious (or not so obvious) drug problem?

On the one hand, while a drug problem may not seem to be a spiritual problem, consider this: if the person is a drug addict, they probably won’t make it in this life, which means, of course, that their chances are slim in the afterlife, whichever afterlife they may believe in.

Yet confronting and helping a drug addict is something few faith community members are trained to do.

Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia gives ideas on what can be done.

“You are a valuable member of the community and others trust you with their problems,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director of Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia.  “From your position in life as a faith community member there is something you can do about the drug epidemic.

“Even if there is someone in your congregation who is smoking pot or the family member who is drinking too much, this affects the mental well-being of those who depend on you. Even if your problem is only that you notice a rough crowd at the convenience store who are most likely selling and buying drugs, it is still your problem.

"You probably already want to help –you just need some direction.

“As a member of the faith community, you are in a unique position to provide guidance to those dealing with the effects of substance use and to represent the interests of your congregation to the rest of the community. By being compassionate, staying informed and engaging people in substance use issues, you can be a positive influence on those who look to you for spiritual leadership and assistance.”

Action Steps

The Rush Center at the Johnson Institute suggests the following action steps for faith-based providers:

• Use multiple opportunities for awareness, education, and recovery support within congregational life.
• Deliver accurate information and guidance for all life choices, especially those involving alcohol and other drugs.
• Teach each other to see and respond to early symptoms of harmful behavior.
• Define addiction as a family illness, responding to all those affected.
• Honor people in recovery, valuing their spiritual journey as a congregational strength.
• Link congregational help to prevention or treatment resources within the community and neighborhood.
• Advocate for a society that responds equally and with compassion to all chronic illness.

*Thanks to JoinTogether.com and The Rush Center.

If someone in your immediate vicinity is addicted, do something now and get them into effective treatment.  Narconon is effective.  We have a 76% success rate.

Call Narconon Drug Rehab 1-877-413-3073 for more information on effective drug treatment or faith community training on drug addiction. We have helped many churches and are willing to help many more.

We are Narconon – The New Life Program.
 
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