Christian Recovery Q&A
6 experts · 44 questions answered
Latest Q&As
Faith Based Recovery Specialists
Hi Richard, Thanks for connecting with us. Congratulations on your success thus far and thank you for the service you are and will be providing. I encourage you, if you're not already familiar, the check out Celebrate Recovery. It's a distinctly Christian recovery program that supports addiction rec
Answered by Jim LaPierre
Get Help
Hello Anonymous, You are experiencing a lot of challenges but running is not the answer. I suggest you enter a rehab program to address the addiction to meth. If you are unhappy with your life then redefine it. Things can and will turn around for you. Just don't give up. Take action. With God all th
Answered by Arlinda Lindsay
Drinking during Biblical Times
Hello Anonymous, In the Bible, wine is included among the blessings from God and described as something that “gladdens the heart of man.” Jesus turn water into wine, wine apparently was taken at the last supper, and it appears that Jesus himself drank wine. According to some theologians, wine in the
Answered by Arlinda Lindsay
Victory is Yours!
Hi Anonymous, Overcoming a drug addiction is difficult but it is possible. You have taken the first step by acknowledging that you have an addiction. Keep the faith and read and meditate on the word of God. Find support such as 12 step meetings and a group of people to support you in your recovery,
Answered by Arlinda Lindsay
The Cost of Progressive Treatment is Progressively Higher
Hi. Thanks for your question. What you seem to be seeking is Christian based, 12 step based, scientifically advanced, and free. This combination is relatively rare at any price - much less for free. The Salvation Army is an excellent program. I hope it works well for you/your loved ones and after tr
Answered by Jim LaPierre
How can I forgive myself for the way I treated my parents when I was an addict?
Firstly I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on being clean for 6 months! That’s not an easy feat to accomplish and you have done well. Not only that, you have integrated back into society as a responsible member and you are helping to support your parents financially. All of that says
Answered by Penny Bell
Is the Recovery Bible a helpful book?
Your brother deserves congratulations for both entering recovery and working hard at it, to the point that he's now graduating. And it sounds like you have been a support for him, and will continue to be as he navigates a new sober world outside of the safe walls of rehab. The Recovery Bible can be
Answered by Penny Bell
Addiction, Recovery and Faith
At a workshop I attended for mental health professionals, the presenter observed that, "Every person's pet sin is their addiction." One aspect of alcoholism that is often overlooked is that everyone wrestles with is their own pet addiction. The point of this is that your brief address needs to point
Answered by Ken Sneed
"Finding" Jesus Isn't The Problem . . . .
Beginning a relationship with God isn't an experience that is "once & done." The phrase, "finding Jesus," is an expression used by many to explain the beginning of a life-long relationship. It's a relationship that is intended to grow over time, Finding Jesus actually means that you surrender yourse
Answered by Ken Sneed
God Gets Blamed for a LOT!
I think to begin this discussion we need to define grace as its used in the Bible. Grace is God's "unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification." (Meriam Webster's Dictionary) So this begs the question, "Does God favor the other man at your meetings, but not you?
Answered by Ken Sneed
The Little Black Book
I think I'd begin with "the little black book," AKA, "24 Hours a Day," that's available through AA on line at http://www.my12stepstore.com/Twenty-Four-Hours-A-Day-Daily-Meditation.html. You may be able to find it in a book store near you. This book of daily meditations is written by addicts, for add
Answered by Ken Sneed
I have decided to turn my life over to God, but how do I believe in him?
An alcoholic who has never been religious is ready to turn their life over to a higher power and asks how to begin believing in God and how to make it happen.
Answered by Penny Bell
How can I assist my addicted son to turn his life around?
I can understand how anxious you must feel for your son and his welfare. You don’t mention his age so I will assume he is an adult for the purpose of this reply. Whilst returning to his faith would be a necessary part of your son’s recovery, when he is in the throes of addiction he can actually be p
Answered by Penny Bell
How can I let go and let God lead me to sobriety?
Letting go and letting God is easy to say, and has become a bit of a cliche. But what does it mean to you, when you try to do it? Bringing God or a Higher Power into the equation to assist us with our struggle for sobriety is exactly that - we make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to t
Answered by Penny Bell
Is my mom suffering from depression or complicated grief?
Depression and grief do not have the same symptoms or course. Depression is marked by negative thoughts and feelings about oneself - low self-esteem and self-worth. Grief, on the other hand, is marked by distress over the loss of another or, in severe cases, overwhelming separation anxiety. It sound
Answered by Penny Bell
Doing the Right Thing
Hello, When we try to convince our children to whats right we often meet with rejection and despair. If you can convince her to seek the guidance of a non bias professional, it would serve her best. Making a decision that will affect her the rest of her life is worth taking a few hours to help see i
Answered by William Carlos Jr.
If I let God down, will he still love me?
It sounds as if you are feeling quite down - almost as if even God has forsaken you and there is no hope. If this is so, it's important that you find someone to talk to - a trusted friend, family member or a counsellor - to help you to gain a better understanding of what you are experiencing. As far
Answered by Penny Bell
How to stop drinking and contribute something to this world?
A reader describes a blackout drinking episode where they damaged their car and fears they may have hurt someone. They express a desire to quit drinking and ask about finding a monastery or Christian community to work and start over.
Answered by Penny Bell
How can I be free from alcohol addiction if I can't feel God?
I’m glad you have decided to work through the AA steps. As you know, you are not required to do anything other than desire to stop drinking in order to participate in AA meetings, but the premise that we cannot stop drinking on our own and need a Higher Power to help us is an important part of the A
Answered by Penny Bell
Reconciliation requires both parties to agree
A recovering alcoholic and recent Christian convert who was abusive during his marriage wants to reconcile with his ex-wife, seeking her closure and a co-parenting relationship with their 6-year-old daughter, and asks whether Christian coup
Answered by Penny Bell
How to overcome binge eating problem
Eating disorders can be difficult to overcome because food is part of our everyday life, and with overeating we have to find ways to control our eating rather than stop it. This requires us to examine our automatic thoughts and behaviors around eating, and our consequent feelings. I’m not sure why y
Answered by Penny Bell
How can I stop internet porn addiction before the wedding?
Often internet pornography addiction begins with adolescent curiosity but becomes eventually a panacea for all that is lacking in the person’s life. In that way, it is like any other addiction – there to fill the gap, to medicate the pain, to comfort and to soothe. Unfortunately, like all addictions
Answered by Penny Bell
Is there an alcohol program that teaches moderation rather than abstinence?
When you say you have a drinking problem I am led to assume that your drinking is interfering with your life, in that it’s causing health problems, or is resulting in job absenteeism or other difficulties at work, or is causing financial hardship, social or relationship conflict or problems with the
Answered by Penny Bell
Why "All or Nothing" Thinking Fails
I appreciate your observations and concerns. Seeing you are a thinking person, identifying yourself as knowing there is no God, it is good to see you are also a feeling and compassionate person with regard to your sister. I am very familiar with the patterns of thought and actions you are seeing wit
Answered by Dr. Art Sprunger
Addressing guilt feelings in addiction recovery
Congratulations for making the decision to begin your recovery! It probably took quite some time and courage to get to this point, and now you're realising that the hard work you've put into getting here is not finished yet! So the decision is made, now it's a matter of addressing the patterns that
Answered by Penny Bell
Who's Responsible for Your Use & Abuse of Drugs?
Congratulations for choosing to be involved in your church and avoiding those you used to hang out with who encouraged your use. Now you get to make more difficult choices. You say that hearing those ordered to attend the drug program talk about scoring more drugs, and you get so angry about it that
Answered by Ken Sneed
Making Amends Critical for Addictions
I know it will be difficult, scary, embarrassing, and just downright difficult, but making amends and restitution are critical aspects of recovering from any addiction. Without addressing this step in recovery, it allows for irresponsibility, a big factor in the cause of the addiction. Getting assis
Answered by Ken Sneed
How To Give Help When It Has Been Abused In The Past
My heart goes out to the pain you are feeling right now. It's so hard to love someone so much when they won't accept your help - or abuse it when they do accept your help. Since she has been untrustworthy in the past - and is facing the difficult experience of withdrawing from drugs & alcohol, I wou
Answered by Stephanie Adams
Where is God when I'm depressed?
Yes, even Christians, praying Christians, can become depressed. Unfortunately, along with grace, love and forgiveness, we learn very quickly in our Christian walk that negativity is a no-no, and that we must always be up and positive, because we are "living letters" to the world that tell about God'
Answered by Penny Bell
Experiencing Emancipation
God is absolutely there for all who seek Him. He loves each and everyone who comes to Him. They will find forgiveness and grace if they truly entrust their whole-soul over to Him so He can apply the true emancipation He purchased for us at such a great price! Galatians 5:! - " It was FOR FREEDOM tha
Answered by Dr. Art Sprunger