Addiction is not something church members are immune from; it is possible to have addicted church members.
The aim is to help them get better and recover, and this can be done through different means. The church can guide a person unto recovery from addiction.
Remember, that drug or alcohol addiction can come from external factors like peer pressure, addicted relatives, stress, and trauma, etc.
Whatever it is, the first step is to know the causes and signs of addiction. Then, you can use the following steps to help an addicted church member get better.
These steps include;
- Compassion and Love
The addicted church member should not isolate from the church. Being in the fellowship with other believers is a good place to recover. The love and compassion expressed would help heal any negative emotions that led to drug or alcohol addiction, without condemnation.
- Counselling
The addicted church member can seek counselling in church. The church is fully equipped spiritually and professionally to provide adequate counselling for people in need of it. So, addicts can trust the church to provide proper counselling to address any feeling they have.
- Medical Help
Apart from opening up to the church, the addicted member should also seek medical help. Yes, the church can help with counselling and prayers, but addiction still requires medical evaluation. Dependence on chemical substances affects the functioning of the brain.
Therefore, the addicted member needs medical evaluation and consultation.
- Christian Support Group
As a church member, it is vital that an addict gets support from the church. The people around an addict are vital to his/her recovery. Therefore, being around a Christian support group helps an addict get better.
A Christian support group not only care the sobriety of the addict, but also about the spiritual standing and well-being of such person.
You can attach some church members to the addict, who would help him/her remain accountable to their recovery, and committed to the things of God. A person will find new hope and life in Christ.
In summary, the church is instrumental to the recovery of an addict member. The addicted member has a role to play in his/her recovery. Some of these have been highlight above, even as the church continues to pray and express God’s love to such person.