Recovery From Addiction

Working the steps is an individualized process.

1.  We admitted that we were powerless over our problems and that our lives had become unmanageable.

2.  We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3.  We made a decision to turn our wills and our lives over to the care of God.

4.  We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5.  We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6.  We were entirely ready to have God remove these defects of character.

7.  We humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.

8.  We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

9.  We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry it out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Addiction is a season of insanity.  It starts out innocent, but eventually takes over to where you are avoiding reality and responsibility.  Addiction gives comfort initially, but over time it multiplies your problems instead of solving them.  If you continue in your addiction for years, you will become an outcast in society like the woman in the scriptures with the issue of blood.  Addiction is threefold: physical, emotional/mental, spiritual.

You may want to quit your addiction because of fear and shamefulness, but you don't think you can.  You may continue to use your drug, alcohol or any of the other multitude of addictions, to seek relief, but your life will become unmanageable.  Addiction feeds us the lie that we can change at any time.  Addiction leads to loss of employment, loss of a relationship and a sense that life is not worth living.  This may lead to overdose or suicide.

 We must restore our relationships and connections with people.  Isolation and loneliness are not what God intends for us.  God wants to restore us and make us free from isolation and tortured thoughts that come with addiction. 

Pride must be put aside and show humility, because we are powerless against the addiction.  Damage to relationships may not be restored, but you must move forward!

Independence is deadly for any recovering addict.  Start attending group meetings and see how your story relates to others.  Groups and community are essential for everyone.  Jesus instructs His believers to come together.

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Hebrews 10:24-25

God is in community.  It is displayed in the Trinity-Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

Matthew 28:19-20

The Apostle Paul, before getting saved was known as Saul of Tarsus.  He was a powerful Jew and murdered Christians for their faith.  God had great plans for him even though, at the time, he was an enemy of God.  God humbled Saul to show him he is powerless.  He was then able to use Saul in powerful and amazing ways!  Saul, who was know known as the Apostle Paul.  He went on to write more than half of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit!

You must gain enough faith to believe that God can accomplish what you can never do.  Your faith in God will grow as you learn to let go of your addiction, one day at a time.  Surrendering daily to God, is what you must do to defeat addiction, temptation and sin.  We must believe that we are arrogant, and we are not God.  Arrogance comes when we think we can see the entire picture as God does.  Man is finite.  God is omniscient.

You have to accept your powerlessness over others, events and over your addiction.  Even Christians struggle with turning everything over to God.  It's very tough to let God take control of your dreams, needs and relationships.

Once you've experienced enough pain, lonliness and despair, you will be ready to release your burdens to God, but you don't have to wait until then.

Pray that God will accept you even with your fear, addiction and pride, and that He will construct you according to His will.  To have a successful recovery, we must learn to completely surrender ourselves and our will.  Turning over our addiction to the Savior is like losing our lives.  The addiction can seem like a best friend who shares life with you.  It's your comfort and entertainment, and it can be frightening to let go.  There is a freedom and rest to surrendering it all to Jesus.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Matthew 11:28-29

God's will for everyone is to be saved.  After accepting God's will for your life, you will have a different motivation.  Trust Him with your life.

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"

Deuteronomy 30:19  - In this case, addiction or recovery

Taking an inventory of our lives is like a business.  We must take stock of our abilities, qualities and traits, accomplishments and limitations.  Most of the time our decisions are based on selfish motives: resentments, fear, pride, envy, dishonesty, greed and lust.  All of these will block God's Spirit and make it hard for us to know His will and feel His presence.

Writing out your inventory of positive traits and behaviors can give you time to think about your behavior, asses your part, and look more deeply at what is motivating your actions.  You will still see defects and wrong doings, but you will be released from your shame.  Step 4 is the first tangible evidence of internal changes that has been occurring in our hearts as the result of the steps, and you will gain an honest picture of yourself.