Responding to Addiction

. 1 min read
Approximately one out of every eight Americans live with some form of addiction, according to reports by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The Global Health program of the General Board of Global Ministries shares some examples of how churches and partners of SPSARV offer informed and compassionate responses to the needs of individuals and families impacted by the disease of addiction. 

1. Care seeking support 

Seminarian Birgitte Simpson shares how her training in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Central Park United Methodist Church, known as The Recovery Church, in St. Paul, Minn., has helped this local congregation through care seeking support.

“I had the opportunity to take a phone call from Timothy (not his real name), a methadone addict and alcoholic living with a gang. He was looking for pastoral care support as he explored sobriety and faith for the first time in his life. He asked me about Christianity and what he needed to do to be a part of the faith. He was amazed to find out that he didn’t need to do anything. I told him to come and worship with us whenever he wanted and that he was welcome here. This good news was overwhelming to him and brought him to tears. At the time of this conversation, Timothy was looking for ways to help himself continue in his sobriety through the rest of the week. I was able to give him information about all the meetings offered at The Recovery Church. As we were getting off the phone, Timothy told me that he was going to interview for a spot in an in-patient treatment program. I prayed with him that he would be accepted and able to continue his sobriety, knowing that God is working in our lives to combat the struggles that we experience along the road of life.”