Unexpectedly, three of my family members died within months of each other. Although the causes of their sudden deaths were not directly connected to substance abuse, in each case, their hearts and lungs were destroyed from continually abusing alcohol, cigarettes, and/or drugs. Even drugs legally obtained, like pain medications, nicotine and alcohol will eventually destroy the health and life of the abuser.
One Sunday, our pastor gave a sermon encouraging the congregation to be faithful to God’s calling in their lives and to do what God had called them to do. The pastor spoke about David Wilkerson, the man’s vision, and how his ministry to addicts, Teen Challenge, got started in 1960 in New York City. Today, *Teen Challenge has a very high recovery rate for those who complete the program and hundreds of facilities worldwide.
On my way home from church that day, a sentence came to mind: “The Dirty, Little Secret.” Almost immediately, I realized the dirty little secret was about drug addiction and alcoholism in the Church, the Body of Christ. I saw some evidence of this problem actively destroying a friend’s marriage and the family of a church elder whose teenage son struggled with opioid addiction.
After praying and asking God what could I possibly do that would make any difference, I got the urge to write a book addressing the problem of substance abuse in the Church. Over the next few days, the message and format started to take form. The final handbook would include descriptions of drugs commonly abused, how to recognize signs of substance abuse, contact information for Christian rehabs and after-care ministries, and finally how to start a support ministry at one's church. As I researched facts for the manual, I discovered that not only is substance abuse epidemic throughout the world, but surprisingly, the problem is growing among Christians as well. One survey taken at the University of Columbia reported that the statistics for church-affiliated adolescents and unchurched adolescents abusing drugs, chemicals, and alcohol were virtually the same.
Annual studies conducted by the “Monitoring the Future Survey,” which is funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), confirm that there is a rise in alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents in general. This survey reports escalating inhalant abuse among 8th graders, and a rise in designer drug use and cocaine usage among young adults. Furthermore, based on the National Survey on Drug Use & Health, there is a notable increase in the number of addictions to pain prescription medications among seniors. From these known facts and others, it is evident that:
When the Lord healed the lepers, they were not recovering lepers, they were healed, but leprosy is a very contagious disease. It’s a pretty reasonable to assume, that if the people who were healed of leprosy decided to go back and hang out with lepers again, that they most likely would become re-infected with the disease. The point here is that once we are in recovery, we need to avoid people, and places that will draw us back into the “old” life and seek out people and places that will support our desire and determination to stay clean while we grow in our relationship with God. Psalm 33:13; 53:2
In congregations nationwide, some believers, who passionately love Christ, have to work very hard on their recovery to keep from relapsing into drug or alcohol abuse. A former marine, we’ll call him “Sam,” told me he felt had to go to AA meetings several nights a week. He said staying in the Word and attending these meetings helped him stay sober. Sam confessed that he had relapsed a few times, and every time he relapsed, he said, it was harder for him to reconnect with the Lord. Sam, like many other believers, expressed frustration over the lack of recovery support from their churches. Structured, faith-based and Christ-centered support groups are essential. In addition, one-on-one mentoring with a same-sex, mature Christian who holds the person accountable, has proven very effective in the recovery process.
Christians must actively participate in the fight against addiction, alcoholism, and chemical abuse. First in our homes and churches, and then in our communities. The best way to fight this modern-day plague is to stop it before it gets started because addiction can happen to anyone. In many instances, it takes just one time, one session, or a single experience to start the cycle of substance abuse. Some may be genetically inclined to become dependent sooner than others, but anyone who regularly abuses drugs or alcohol will eventually become addicted physically and psychologically.
The “Confronting Substance Abuse in the Body of Christ” or CSABC manual addresses the problem from a Biblical standpoint. It also includes basic information about drugs used for non-medical purposes, signs, and symptoms of substance abuse, preventative measures, and how to start an effective support group. Most sections are followed by questions for group discussion. For additional facts, advice, or data on any of these topics contact information and related web sites are listed.
The powerful testimonials, included in the book, are all anonymous. Some of these people were miraculously delivered from the vicious cycle of addiction, some were set free over a period of time and some are still in recovery. Their dynamic personal stories affirm that our God is able and willing to empower us to live clean and sober lives that glorify Him. They also serve to inform and warn readers less familiar with the destructive impact substance abuse has on the abuser and on their close relationships.
The appendices in the back of the book, include contacts for Christian rehabilitation facilities, faith-based support groups, and Christian recovery organizations located throughout the U.S.
*globaltc.org/global-locations/
One Sunday, our pastor gave a sermon encouraging the congregation to be faithful to God’s calling in their lives and to do what God had called them to do. The pastor spoke about David Wilkerson, the man’s vision, and how his ministry to addicts, Teen Challenge, got started in 1960 in New York City. Today, *Teen Challenge has a very high recovery rate for those who complete the program and hundreds of facilities worldwide.
On my way home from church that day, a sentence came to mind: “The Dirty, Little Secret.” Almost immediately, I realized the dirty little secret was about drug addiction and alcoholism in the Church, the Body of Christ. I saw some evidence of this problem actively destroying a friend’s marriage and the family of a church elder whose teenage son struggled with opioid addiction.
After praying and asking God what could I possibly do that would make any difference, I got the urge to write a book addressing the problem of substance abuse in the Church. Over the next few days, the message and format started to take form. The final handbook would include descriptions of drugs commonly abused, how to recognize signs of substance abuse, contact information for Christian rehabs and after-care ministries, and finally how to start a support ministry at one's church. As I researched facts for the manual, I discovered that not only is substance abuse epidemic throughout the world, but surprisingly, the problem is growing among Christians as well. One survey taken at the University of Columbia reported that the statistics for church-affiliated adolescents and unchurched adolescents abusing drugs, chemicals, and alcohol were virtually the same.
Annual studies conducted by the “Monitoring the Future Survey,” which is funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), confirm that there is a rise in alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents in general. This survey reports escalating inhalant abuse among 8th graders, and a rise in designer drug use and cocaine usage among young adults. Furthermore, based on the National Survey on Drug Use & Health, there is a notable increase in the number of addictions to pain prescription medications among seniors. From these known facts and others, it is evident that:
- Addressing substance abuse in our congregations and its destructive potential is crucial.
- Church leaders and youth pastors have the authority to present the dangers of substance abuse and share the Biblical position on the subject, and basic preventative measures.
- Mature committed Christians, who understand this problem could start Christ-centered support groups with the approval and aid of their church.
When the Lord healed the lepers, they were not recovering lepers, they were healed, but leprosy is a very contagious disease. It’s a pretty reasonable to assume, that if the people who were healed of leprosy decided to go back and hang out with lepers again, that they most likely would become re-infected with the disease. The point here is that once we are in recovery, we need to avoid people, and places that will draw us back into the “old” life and seek out people and places that will support our desire and determination to stay clean while we grow in our relationship with God. Psalm 33:13; 53:2
In congregations nationwide, some believers, who passionately love Christ, have to work very hard on their recovery to keep from relapsing into drug or alcohol abuse. A former marine, we’ll call him “Sam,” told me he felt had to go to AA meetings several nights a week. He said staying in the Word and attending these meetings helped him stay sober. Sam confessed that he had relapsed a few times, and every time he relapsed, he said, it was harder for him to reconnect with the Lord. Sam, like many other believers, expressed frustration over the lack of recovery support from their churches. Structured, faith-based and Christ-centered support groups are essential. In addition, one-on-one mentoring with a same-sex, mature Christian who holds the person accountable, has proven very effective in the recovery process.
Christians must actively participate in the fight against addiction, alcoholism, and chemical abuse. First in our homes and churches, and then in our communities. The best way to fight this modern-day plague is to stop it before it gets started because addiction can happen to anyone. In many instances, it takes just one time, one session, or a single experience to start the cycle of substance abuse. Some may be genetically inclined to become dependent sooner than others, but anyone who regularly abuses drugs or alcohol will eventually become addicted physically and psychologically.
The “Confronting Substance Abuse in the Body of Christ” or CSABC manual addresses the problem from a Biblical standpoint. It also includes basic information about drugs used for non-medical purposes, signs, and symptoms of substance abuse, preventative measures, and how to start an effective support group. Most sections are followed by questions for group discussion. For additional facts, advice, or data on any of these topics contact information and related web sites are listed.
The powerful testimonials, included in the book, are all anonymous. Some of these people were miraculously delivered from the vicious cycle of addiction, some were set free over a period of time and some are still in recovery. Their dynamic personal stories affirm that our God is able and willing to empower us to live clean and sober lives that glorify Him. They also serve to inform and warn readers less familiar with the destructive impact substance abuse has on the abuser and on their close relationships.
The appendices in the back of the book, include contacts for Christian rehabilitation facilities, faith-based support groups, and Christian recovery organizations located throughout the U.S.
*globaltc.org/global-locations/
Elona is passionate about Christ. She authored "Confronting Substance Abuse in the Body of Christ," that includes information about recognizing the signs of substance abuse and drug symptoms, what the Bible says about substance abuse, basic preventive measures and prevention programs, how to start and lead a support group, and much more.
As a key participant in launching, facilitating and participating in the Christ-centered Celebrate Recovery ministry at her former church in New Jersey, she witnessed the miracle of changed lives, and wants to encourage others to participate in addressing the problem of substance abuse infecting our churches and communities.