RS Lesson Summary- August 31st 2014

Brother and Sister Kyle from the Stake came and presented a very informative lesson on the addiction recovery program. This is a wonderful program that can be found all over, and it is important to realize that addictions are not limited to substances such as alcohol, drugs and pornography. Co dependency, and other physical addictions can be debilitating. An addiction is anything that has 'taken control of your life'. We realize there is an underlying pathology to addiction, i.e. depression or other psychological ailments that contribute to addictions.
It is important to have contact with the bishop of the ward where the person is attending meetings. It adds to the support and healing process. Sponsors are assigned after a few meetings, and they are those that are familiar with the program and have been approved by priesthood leadership. You don't need approval to attend meetings, anyone living within the ward boundaries can attend meetings, but again, it is important to have priesthood support if a person is struggling with addiction. The Church's site has a wonderful information about the entire program, as well as the description of each of the steps online. You can view them all here.

Brother Kyle read a quote by President Packer: 'Addiction has the capacity to disconnect the human will and nullify moral agency. It can rob one of the power to decide.'

Sister Kyle brought up the point that these addictions should not be reduced to 'simply bad habits' or by will power alone can someone overcome their addictions. It is not possible to recover from an addiction without the help of the Savior. People lose perspective inside their addictions, they are unable to see the truth of the illness that they have, the addiction has taken over their life. When people simply 'abstain' from the thing they are addicted to, it can create emotional, physical and spiritual pain. Addicts need spiritual help to fight their battles.

'People, places and things' contribute to addictions. We must remove the 'triggers' if the person addicted is to be successful in their pursuit of peace and healing.

The Addiction Recovery Program takes the addict through 12 steps, very similar to the steps taken in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. The gospel is central to these steps.

THE 12 STEPS

• Step 1: Admit that you, of yourself, are powerless to overcome your addictions and that your life has become unmanageable.
• Step 2: Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health.
• Step 3: Decide to turn your will and your life over to the care of God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
• Step 4: Make a searching and fearless written moral inventory of yourself.
• Step 5: Admit to yourself, to your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, to proper priesthood authority, and to another person the exact nature of your wrongs.
• Step 6: Become entirely ready to have God remove all your character weaknesses.
• Step 7: Humbly ask Heavenly Father to remove your shortcomings.
• Step 8: Make a written list of all persons you have harmed and become willing to make restitution to them.
• Step 9: Wherever possible, make direct restitution to all persons you have harmed.
• Step 10: Continue to take personal inventory, and when you are wrong promptly admit it.
• Step 11: Seek through prayer and meditation to know the Lord’s will and to have the power to carry it out.
• Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, share this message with others and practice these principles in all you do.

There is a family support group that meets to help the family members of those who have been affected by the choices of people with addictions. They are taught how to forgive, cope, and support the person who is recovering. The program focuses on hope through the atonement of Christ. Family members can attend even if their family member who is has the addiction is attending meetings in another location. There are helpful videos on lds.org that offer support and education for those wanting help. If you or a loved one is in need of help, please seek the guidance of the bishop.