Anyone struggling with an addiction may also be feeling extreme shame, guilt, and embarrassment. It can be difficult to open up about your addiction, even to those you love the most. But what may come as a surprise, is that your pastor may be just the person to talk to. Having a faith-based community can be so helpful when dealing with any sort of issue. People of faith believe in a higher power and a greater purpose to life. Therefore, talking to your pastor about your addiction can be the best first step to your recovery.
Here we will discuss:
- How your pastor can help
- The importance of community discussion
- Understanding your pastor and getting help
- How All American Detox can help?
How Pastors Can Help:
Although they may appear to be wise, intimidating, intellectual leaders of faith, pastors are just people like all of us. Pastors are people who preach faith to the community. They believe in the Holy Spirit, sin, and forgiveness. Pastors are highly educated, kind and understanding people and they want to help individuals live their lives in alignment with faith. This includes those who may be battling an addiction.
Pastors will listen to you and share their personal knowledge of addiction, and work towards guiding you back to faith. They do not discriminate against anyone with an addiction and if you are brave enough to open up to them, they will help you. Pastors carry a lot of insight into the world and likely into addiction as well. They will be able to guide you back to faith and into a community-based group that may be able to help you recover from your addiction. They will not judge you, nor will they expose your secret to others. They are trustworthy people whose overall goal is to guide the community to live through and with God.
Community Discussion:
One of the greatest blessings churches bring is a sense of community. It brings together like-minded people who share a passion for faith in a sacred space. And if there is anything to know about addiction recovery, it is that having a supportive community is crucial to having a fulfilling life away from drugs of alcohol. Finding a community-based recovery group may be exactly what you need to start your journey to recovery. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous are entirely faith-based support groups that use the 12-step program to help you reach your goals with the support of others in recovery.
Through the 12-step program, you will focus on 3 key areas; acceptance towards your addiction, surrendering to the recovery process, and active involvement in the community. Each of these is equally as important, however being involved in the community can add value and purpose to your life away from drugs or alcohol. By being involved in the community, you will meet others in recovery and build deeper, more meaningful connections.
Understand Pastors and Get Help
Although all pastors come from different families in different cultures, with different baggage to carry, they all have the same role within the church. They are to be a leader, a role model, a person of strong faith that guides others to live through God. They spread knowledge and wisdom from the bible, history and current life to help you understand the importance of living a faithful life. They want to help, and your pastor will help you.
It can feel scary to open up about a drug or alcohol addiction in the sacred space of a church. If this is what is stopping you from speaking your truth to your pastor, then ask if they will meet you outside of the church to talk. More than likely, they will be happy to chat with you somewhere else. The important thing to remember is that your pastor wants you to live a drug-free, fulfilling life and they will be happy to help you get there.
All American Detox Center
Managing an addiction on your own can be extra difficult, but the good news is, you do not have to do it alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, All American Detox Center is here to help. All American Detox Center provides various options for addiction recovery and individualizes the treatment plan to fit your needs. With the help of many highly trained and licensed professionals, you will learn to understand the root of your addiction and start to build the skills needed to live a drug or alcohol-free life. All American Detox Center is just a simple call away. Call (844) 570-1301 today to learn more about the addiction recovery options and see if All American sounds like a good fit for you.
Citations:
DrugAbuse.com. “12-Step Recovery Programs and Support Groups.”
https://drugabuse.com/treatment/therapy/group/12-step-programs/ Retrieved 12, December 2022
SBC Life. “What is a Pastor?”
https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/sbc-life-articles/what-is-a-pastor/ Retrieved 27, September 2022
Northstar Church. “You Asked for it: What is the Difference Between Church and Community?”
https://northstar.church/you-asked-for-it-what-is-the-difference-between-church-and-community/ Retrieved 23, July 2015
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