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christian counseling today
Vol. 20 no. 4
for in Romans 12:2. In fact, recovery is simply a non-biblical word for the
scriptural word, “sanctification.”
The steps can also be viewed as a 12-point sermon calling for radical
steps of faith when someone accepts he or she is an addict. If a person
sins by getting drunk, he or she has to confess it, repent and, if needed,
make amends. When an individual finally gets to the place where he or
she admits being an addict and needs to enter a 12-step recovery program,
it will be quite a daunting task. This is true regardless of the addiction.
One has to actually work the steps rather than just read or know them.
These radical steps include: Humbling oneself to admit he or she does
not have the resources to fix whatever is broken; stepping out in faith and
believing the insane world in which one is living can change for the better;
and completing a deep moral analysis of one’s life and examining how the
addiction has hurt others.
It is common for an alcoholic to be aware he or she has a serious
drinking problem. Eventually, the facts about the drinking and the
devastation it has caused the addict and those around him or her can no
longer be denied. It is common to hear the addict’s desire for things to be
better. These are positive signs and indicate hope and progress, but there
is one key element an alcoholic must experience if he or she is going to
encounter authentic transformation. It is one of the most powerful words
in use today—“willingness.” If the addict does
not reach the point of willingness, then going
through the steps is of little value. Willingness
leads to examining one’s heart and taking an
inventory of some potentially ugly truths. It
means the addict opens up and shares the very
issues he or she may have fought to keep secret
for years. From there, making amends and
restitution, performing an ongoing self-exam-
ination, implementing the recovery principles
in all matters, and reaching out to help others
are critical. So much rich and deep work on the
heart is done through executing these steps. God
is honored and relied upon as the addict grows
and matures.
One of the developments that convinces these
“one-step” leaders is the fact that some addicts
are delivered from their bondage. We have seen it
happen in our counseling work and both know
people who have experienced this freedom. You
might say that the immediate cessation of the
urge to drink is proof that once you really accept
Christ, the problem goes away. In reality, the urge
is all that goes away. It may feel like a tremendous
gift to lose this craving, but it is often misused.
When it happens, some state they have been
delivered and nothing further needs to be done.
We think this is the wrong reaction. The delivered
addict can be guided into taking the gift from
God and using it to dig into his or her recovery
without the urges that are so frustrating for
others. They can learn to use the gift to go deeper
sooner rather than later.
Here is the reality. We have known addicts
to be delivered instantly from their addictions,
but they must still repair the character defects
that resulted. In fact, because of the chemical
dependency, a numbing of the pain and low frus-
tration tolerance, the addict will often function
like a 40-year-old teenager… or a 20-year-old
may only be functioning like a seven-year-old
emotionally. Character building is a process that
takes pain, work and time. The 12 steps are a
wonderful way to engage in the work needed to
experience the healing of the pain. Additionally,
while the addict may be delivered from the
urges… friends, family and co-workers are not
likely to be instantly released from their pain,
uneasiness, and the anxiety they experience
when relating to the addict. Those who love and
support the recovering addict can also benefit
from working the 12 steps.
If the addict does not reach the point of willingness, then going through
the steps is of little value. Willingness leads to examining one’s heart and
taking an inventory of some potentially ugly truths. It means the addict
opens up and shares the very issues he or she may have fought to keep
secret for years.
