Addictions and Recovery

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Addiction

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often erroneously referred to as the Mormon Church, has received a health code by commandment from God through modern prophets, called the Word of Wisdom. Latter-day Saints are commanded not to drink coffee, tea, or alcohol, use tobacco products, illegal drugs, or to abuse legal drugs. The reasons are not just to enhance health, but to guarantee agency. One's agency, or freedom to choose, is compromised by addiction to anything. Therefore, the Church has also spoken out against addictive and destructive behaviors, such as gambling and indulging in pornography. Addictive substances and behaviors do not just compromise agency, they corrupt the mind and body until the Holy Ghost cannot abide in the unholy tabernacle. Therefore, addicted persons find themselves without the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit as their guide. Church president Russell M. Nelson has said,

We are free to take drugs or not. But once we choose to use a habit-forming drug, we are bound to the consequences of that choice. Addiction surrenders later freedom to choose. Through chemical means, one can literally become disconnected from his or her own will!” [1]

A third consequence of addiction is that many crimes and unfortunate incidents are committed by individuals who have surrendered their bodies and minds to addictive substances. Because addictions rob an individual of his or her self-control and of his ability to make smart choices, these addictions often lead to bad behavior and feelings of frustration and a loss of self-worth. Satan will use any means he can, including addictions, to control one's thoughts and actions and to make one forget that he is a child of God. (See M. Russell Ballard, "O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One") Many studies have proven the connection between alcohol use and sexual transgression, and drug use and crime.

However, Church leaders and members recognize the potential for good in every person, and the Church realizes that it is not enough just to warn against addictive substances and behaviors. Church doctrine teaches that every man or woman who is willing to overcome temptations and addictions and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ will eventually return to live in the presence of God. Although the Church of Jesus Christ teaches that addiction to harmful substances and the use of unhealthy or illegal substances are contrary to the will of God, Latter-day Saints believe that every person can, with the help of Jesus Christ, concerned family members, trained professionals, and others, overcome addictions and temptations. The Church has even established protocols to provide help, through training of lay leadership, informing the membership, providing counsel and encouragement at general conferences, and sponsoring Church-established programs. [1]

Recovery

Fortunately, there is help. Recovery is possible for every individual who is willing to trust God and work hard.

A Church publication, speaking on the topic of helping family members overcome addictions, printed the following:

Family members will find that love is more effective than shame or control in motivating addicts to change... If addicts feel shame—in other words, if they feel that they are inherently bad or unworthy because of their addiction—they may turn to alcohol or drugs to help dull the pain associated with that shame. Christ-like love, on the other hand, can give an addict hope and can help change the most desperate situation. But love doesn’t mean acceptance of sinful behavior. [2]

The Church of Jesus Christ sponsors addiction recovery support meetings to assist individuals who desire freedom from addiction and a better life through gospel fellowship. Click on the link to see a list of regional programs. [2]

Additionally, the Addiction Recovery Program provides a guide called Healing through the Savior: The Addiction Recovery Program 12-Step Recovery Guide. Through Family Services, recovery meetings are held for those struggling with addictions and for family members and others affected by addictions to support and connect with each other. The program is also about connecting and turning one’s life over to the Savior, Jesus Christ.

The recovery groups are free and confidential. They are also not limited to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In-person and virtual meetings are led by volunteer facilitators, many of whom have recovered from their own addiction-related challenges.

Recovery meetings are held worldwide and can be found at this website.

With permission from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., Church Family Services put the original 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous into a framework of the doctrines, principles, and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Healing begins as hearts are turned to the Savior, Jesus Christ. For many participants, the name — and focus on Jesus Christ — perfectly reflects the healing they have experienced."[3]

The Twelve Steps

1. Admit that we, of ourselves, are powerless to overcome our addictions and that our lives have become unmanageable.

2. Come to believe the power of God can restore us to complete spiritual health.

3. Decide to turn our wills and our lives over to the care of God, the Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

4. Make a searching and fearless written moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admit to ourselves, to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, to proper priesthood authority, and to another person the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Become entirely ready to have God remove all our character weaknesses.

7. Humbly ask Heavenly Father to remove our shortcomings.

8. Make a written list of all persons we have harmed and become willing to make restitution to them.

9. Wherever possible, make direct restitution to all persons we have harmed.

10. Continue to take personal inventory, and when we are wrong, promptly admit it.

11. Seek through prayer and meditation to know the Lord's will and to have the power to carry it out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening through the Atonement of Jesus Christ as a result of taking these steps, we share this message with others and practice these principles in all we do.



References

  1. Jump up ↑ Russell M. Nelson, “Addiction or Freedom,” Ensign, November 1988.
  2. Jump up ↑ Corrie Lynne Player, Ensign, January 2005.

External Links

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