Substance Abuse and Addiction
"'A thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.' I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.'"
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
Frequently Asked Question
How do I know I have an addiction?
Here are some signs to look out for that may indicate you have more of a problem than a bad habit:
What does the Catechism say about drinking and drugs?
2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.
2291 The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.
What do I do if I have a problem?
The first step is to thank God for that self awareness! Acknowledgement of one's shortcoming is vital when seeking to make a change. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Aware, but not ashamed. As for the next step, tell someone. Mold grows in the dark. The greatest service you can do for yourself is connecting yourself to a community who can build you up - also frequent the sacraments. Christ established these sacraments for our healing and integration to the divine life.
What are the 12 Steps for Alcoholics Anonymous?
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Is there hope for recovery?
Yes there is, there are so many people who have hit their rock bottom and felt utterly hopeless to one day reach recovery. There are programs that deal directly with substance and drug abuse. Look below for resources. God recognizes our humanity is susceptible to destructive tendencies. His merciful grace can save and restore even the most hopeless soul.
Here are some signs to look out for that may indicate you have more of a problem than a bad habit:
- Problems at work or school, including poor performance, lateness or absenteeism, and social dysfunction
- Loss of energy or motivation
- Neglecting one’s appearance
- Spending excessive amounts of money on the substance
- Obsessing about the next dose, ensuring a consistent supply of the substance, and worrying about the next source of the substance
- Performing risky behaviors while intoxicated
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when unable to take the drug
- Developing tolerance, so it’s necessary to take more to feel the original euphoria
- Stealing to get the drug
- Lying about consumption habits, or getting defensive or aggressive when questioned about consumption
- Compulsively taking the drug or being unable to stop taking it
What does the Catechism say about drinking and drugs?
2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.
2291 The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.
What do I do if I have a problem?
The first step is to thank God for that self awareness! Acknowledgement of one's shortcoming is vital when seeking to make a change. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Aware, but not ashamed. As for the next step, tell someone. Mold grows in the dark. The greatest service you can do for yourself is connecting yourself to a community who can build you up - also frequent the sacraments. Christ established these sacraments for our healing and integration to the divine life.
What are the 12 Steps for Alcoholics Anonymous?
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Is there hope for recovery?
Yes there is, there are so many people who have hit their rock bottom and felt utterly hopeless to one day reach recovery. There are programs that deal directly with substance and drug abuse. Look below for resources. God recognizes our humanity is susceptible to destructive tendencies. His merciful grace can save and restore even the most hopeless soul.
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Drug or Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Chestnut Health Systems for substance abuse and addiction treatment
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Alcoholics Anonymous
12 Step support group for individuals with alcoholism Find an AA meeting...
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