Psalm 6:2
“Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.”
It’s hard to read any news feed or paper these days and not find an article on the growing opioid epidemic in the United States. It’s alarming and unsettling to see the faces of parents overdosing in a car with their kids in the backseat, or to see a pregnant woman injecting herself with a […]
Psalm 121:2
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
It’s not unusual to see someone enjoying a glass of wine with dinner or planning an office happy hour as a way of socializing and relaxing after work. With 86.4% of Americans reportedly consuming alcohol at least once in their lives, alcohol is one of the most common forms of stress relief in the country. […]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Caffeine plays a large role in American society and comes in many different forms: coffee, tea, soda, Red Bull and more. Whether we drink it to help wake us up in the morning, as a social event with friends at the local café or to remain productive throughout the workday, it’s easy to forget that […]
Isaiah 66:13 ESV
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
Children are one of God’s greatest gifts. They bring so much joy and love to our lives. Yet, being a mother can also be a uniquely stressful and exhausting experience. First-time mothers can feel particularly overwhelmed. Just taking a shower, eating a meal and sleeping more than a few uninterrupted hours can be a challenge. […]
Matthew 28:20
“Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, alleluia.”
It seems like whenever we turn on the TV, our computers, mobile devices or the radio, we are confronted with the stark reality that opioids are killing Americans at an alarming rate. It’s on the news every day. It’s affecting people we know. It’s even perhaps infiltrated our own circle of friends and family. According […]
Psalm 42:11
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
According to a study entitled “A Swedish National Twin Study of Lifetime Major Depression”, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, major depression arises equally from both genetic factors and child rearing experiences. The study sought to uncover evidence that supports major depression is gained from genetics, whether genetic influences in major depression are more […]
John 15:4
“Remain in me as I remain in you…Whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.”
If you have recently completed alcohol rehab, congratulations! We know that with God’s guidance you have gone through multiple steps to get to where you are. It hasn’t been easy and it’s required motivation, determination, and a great deal of reflection. Now that you are in recovery, you should stay focused and decrease your chances […]
Mark 1:15
“Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
Lent is a time when we as Christians perform an examination of conscience to determine if we’ve sinned against God through bad thoughts, actions and words. It is a time for repentance of these sins and for hurting ourselves and others. In the Bible, the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel called to the people of Israel: “Repent! […]
James 1:12
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him”.
Recovery is a journey that will have its ups and downs. Early recovery is a particularly vulnerable time. Decisions made during this time could send you spiraling further into addiction or bring you closer to your recovery. Your thoughts at times may become distorted and you may experience uncontrollable emotions—keep in mind that this is […]
Proverbs 17:22
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
When you think of the causes of heart disease, poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle and stress may pop into your mind. Although these are obvious risk factors, the fact that substance abuse is also a leading cause of heart disease is rarely discussed. Both prescription and illicit drugs have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system […]
3 John 1:2
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
We know that substance abuse causes serious damage to the brain and vital organs, and the heart is no exception. Numerous studies show that there is a direct connection between heart disease and substance abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that drug misuse can cause cardiovascular effects ranging from minor to severe, including […]
Nehemiah 8:10
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Joy can change everything. Jesus tells us that joy is the reason for his teachings in John 15:11. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” As we increase the joy in our lives, it transforms us in ways we never thought […]
Recovery is a journey of healing. For many on this path, feelings of depression and sadness can sometimes be overwhelming. Even with the support of your recovery team, these feelings may creep up on you from time to time. But there are easy ways to boost your mood and lift your spirits when you’re having […]
Psalm 107:28-30
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, So He guided them to their desired haven.”
“Erica”(not her real name) came to Atlanta Addiction Recovery Center not expecting to be prescribed medication to help treat her prescription drug addiction. Overwhelmed at the prospect of stopping her pill intake and facing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, she had been reluctant to begin the detoxification process. She was relieved to discover that there were medications […]
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
For many, the New Year represents a clean slate. It offers the opportunity for self-reflection and inspires many of us to make the changes necessary to improve our lives. If you’ve been thinking about finally starting a life in recovery, now is an ideal time to begin the journey. But just like most resolutions, your […]
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The Christmas season is here, and although it is a time for celebration, it can be very difficult for those in recovery. The holidays can bring certain emotional triggers that can make you susceptible to relapse. Staying committed to Christ and your recovery begins with first asking God for the strength to do so. Prayer […]
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
It is in giving and receiving that we truly experience Christ’s love. There are many ways to give and receive— and for those in recovery the gift of sponsorship is a mutually beneficial relationship. Sponsorship allows individuals to express gratitude for their sobriety while offering inspiration to one another. Sean Owen describes how he teaches […]
Jeremiah 24:7
“I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.”
If you’ve come to the end of the road with your addiction and are finally taking those first crucial steps to a new life in recovery, you can rest assured that Christ will walk alongside you. At AARC, our recovery program draws upon the Christian values of compassion, mercy, humility and love. So what does […]
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
If your loved one has finally entered a treatment program for their addiction, you may feel a tremendous weight lifted from your shoulders. For the first time in a while you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And although you and your family are on the right path to healing, you […]
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.”
Addiction doesn’t just harm the individual, but has damaging, long-lasting effects on family members and friends as well. The daily stress, shame, fear and burden spurred by the disease can leave loved ones feeling devastated and powerless. But there are ways out of the nightmare, to heal, repair relationships and break the cycle of abuse […]
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
For those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, coping with past trauma is vitally important to the recovery process. When underlying emotional issues aren’t addressed or resolved, the chance of relapsing becomes much higher. To date, standard talk therapy has been the mainstream method of treatment to help patients move past painful, traumatic memories. Although […]
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Addiction can affect anyone—regardless of gender, age, race, and background. However, men and women face unique circumstances when battling addiction and may benefit from having treatment geared towards their gender. For example, having separate therapy groups gives men and women the freedom to address the issues that are specific to them in a safe space. […]
Acts 2:42
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
When struggling with addiction, deepening your relationship with God and leaning on your Christian faith can have a lasting impact on recovery. Prayer, worship and following Christ’s teachings are key to staying on the path to healing. At AARC, the weekly ministry group led by Randy Eberhard brings together those in recovery to study scripture, […]
Philippians 4:8-10
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
A core tenet of RecoveryMind™ training is that changes occur in the brain as a result of addiction (AddictBrain). Healthy rewiring of the brain also takes place through the practice of specific, learned skills (RecoveryMind™). What does God have to say about the brain? We do not typically have neuroscience in mind when we pray […]
“Great treatment exists…good treatment exists…and horrible treatment exists”, says Daniel Lettenberger-Klein, MS, LMFT and Executive Director of RiverMend Health Center of Atlanta and Atlanta Addiction Recovery Center. In his interview with Prodigal Child Ministries, Daniel explains the differing levels of care within addiction treatment and candidly discusses how to navigate pitfalls when dealing with insurance companies and choosing appropriate treatment options.
Starting with crisis intervention all the way through outpatient care, Daniel sheds light on exactly which experts to turn to, what questions to ask and what resources to utilize when a loved one is struggling with addiction.
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
The Bible assures us time and time again of God’s forgiveness, and that the act of forgiving is synonymous with love. For those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, this seemingly simple act can be one of the most difficult things to do.
Forgiveness is an essential part of the addiction recovery process. Finding the courage to forgive can be life changing—not just through the act of forgiving others, but forgiving ourselves as well. In doing so you let go of all the negative emotions that have helped support your addiction in the past. Finding freedom and liberation from anger, guilt, resentment and blame allows you to repair broken relationships and ultimately heal yourself.
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
…in a field with no one watching, the smallest wildflower reaches its tiny root into a dark it doesn’t know and at the same time opens itself to a light it feels but can’t yet see. And while the flower has no choice but to commit to this natural process, we as humans have a choice. Unless rooting and opening, unless listening to what is near but beyond us, we will forgo the souls’ birth right to blossom.
-Mark Nepo
Entering treatment can be a frightening experience. There are rules to follow, requirements to meet and assignments to complete. There are also overwhelming fears and doubts that arise that must be experienced without using substances. One of those fears is, “What if treatment does not work for me?” Or the doubt that says, “I cannot recover like others have.”
You may even doubt why God would lead you to treatment because it feels so intimidating. There are multiple decisions to be made regarding what the mind tells an addict during this vulnerable time period. There is the choice to trust God and experiment with the tools that your therapist and peers give to you, despite not knowing the potential outcome. Another pertinent decision to make is to do what you believe works, despite it only causing you continued harm.