Addiction Recovery: Drug Addiction Facts

Question: Lds addiction recovery program?

(Posted by: Kate Blanche on 2009-07-31 09:21:21)

I am seeking the opinion of LDS people or people who respect our religion ONLY. please do not respond if you don't fall within those groups. I am wondering if anyone knows if the addiction recovery program that the church developed is helpful. They are starting a new group at my church and my bishop suggested I go for sexual addiction but I am absolutely terrified to go. Any advice? Thanks i've thought about a 3rd party councilor and my bishop said that the ward would help me pay for it if I choose to go that route because I really can't afford it since I am a full time nursing student. I have insurance that will cover most of it, just a copay that he said they would help with....i feel really bad about letting the church help me that way though...I got myself into this situation and i don't think its fair for the church to have to pay for me to get out, so i am avoiding it. oh, and I am not married.....have had a few close calls, but don't want to rush into eternity.

Posted by: Sweet n Sour on 2009-07-31, 09:26:59

The church has trained counselors who have been hired after graduating with masters' degrees, I believe they are qualified to help and treat.

Posted by: richard m on 2009-07-31, 09:24:55

Nothing wrong with being addicted to sex thats just natural

Posted by: skinnylizzy91 on 2009-07-31, 09:25:16

Go to a real medical professional. Religious groups will just make you feel guilty instead of treating your problem.

Posted by: Gallivanting Galactic Gadfly on 2009-07-31, 09:26:34

If I has to choose an addiction, I would go for sexual addiction too. Hope you enjoy.

Posted by: guraqt2me on 2009-07-31, 09:32:05

My advice is to take the "other route " for elective Counselling for your most life-hindering problem. This "other route " is to seek out competent and objective, THIRD party Counselling. Remember; with Counselling, regarding the Counsellor, some obtain an A+ , while others obtain a C in their professional studies. In other words, some are better at it than others. The main thing is to keep the Counselling 3rd Party. This will afford you far more objectivity and avoid a subjective session(s) where your Counselling will be far less, effective.

Posted by: Jay on 2009-07-31, 09:33:58

Your question requires more information on your part. 1) Are you married? This is a big one. If you are married and you are being sent somewhere for "sex addiction, " then there is a problem at home. You need more sex from your husband, not therapy. If you are single, yet you crave sex, then there is an issue. Maybe this is a way of God telling you to find a husband, and fast. Remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:9: "it is better to marry than to burn " (whether you add "with lust/ passion " or "in Hell " is up to your interpretation). I am not a fan of therapy sessions. People have the capacity of working these things out for themselves. All they need is to decide that it is what they want to do, and stick with it. Willpower is all that is needed, with a lot of prayer to assist. I know this does not help you decide if the program itself is good, but I hope it helps. As to being terrified, you should not be afraid. Whether the program is helpful or a bore, it will not be evil. :-) They are there to help. Good luck!

Posted by: Chris on 2009-07-31, 12:15:18

Kate, Yes, the Church's recovery program is outstanding. My father was called as a missionary to help oversee the program in his area and I have become very familiar with it. I will give you the one reason why it would be helpful for you to participate. Some addictions are extremely hard to correct. Based on what you shared I bet you are facing something that has caused you to question whether or not you can overcome it. The other recovery programs out there, while helpful and teach you to rely on God, hold to the concept that once you choose to quit the addiction you have to "hang on " with white knuckles the rest of your life and just deal with the temptations of not returning to the behavior. The Church's program is based around the 12 step program but includes the doctrine that as you follow the steps of recovery that Christ's Atonement can heal you from your weakness. This change of heart and body can remove the desire of the addiction you are facing. I have worked around people who have serious addictions and I believe very few people can abandon a serious addiction and remain free of it for the rest of their lives without the healing power of the Atonement. Also, as much as this may be hard to consider, your weakness may be a blessing in disguise in that if you allow it, it could help you reach a closeness with the Savior you would not have been able to achieve on your own. Hope this helps and good luck. You can do it!

Posted by: R Rosskopf on 2009-07-31, 15:14:36

Don't be afraid to accept help. The gift blesses the giver and the receiver. We need to learn to love and be loved. It is interesting to note that often people get hooked on sex as children who are "made to feel special " by some perverted uncle, father, brother or next door neighbor. In my experience, healing from such injuries only comes after we honestly prefer loneliness to the company of devils(figurative and literal). You don't have to love devils. They don't have anything that you need. It is better to leave them in their own hell, and seek for the spirit of God. If your eye is single to the glory of God, your whole body will be filled with light. You can be like Nephi who partook of the fruit of the tree of life which was most desirable above all fruit. It represents the love of God that sheds itself abroad in the hearts of men (and women!).

Posted by: mormon_4_jesus on 2009-08-04, 09:29:58

I would think it's like chicken soup for a cold; it couldn't hurt, at least to try it. The worst that happens is it doesn't work. the best is that it does work.