Bethuel Best ONLY #5

200 WORD REPLY

AA and Spirituality

            Except for two or three attendances to AA there seems to be more people refusing to acknowledge God as their higher power (at least in my area) and believing it is all about will power, which is fine to a point, but ultimately it comes down to God’s Grace that gives us strength with our daily struggles. Mathew 19:26 (KJV) God said, “Believe in me and all things are possible”.  Clinton & Scalise (2013) states in part 4 “Processing Addictions”, two of the four key elements to the “Road to Recovery”, is 1. Clean out the infection and 2. Renew the mind (p. 254).

Cleaning out the infection entails breaking the power of denial and as a Christian Counselor that would not only include the denial of whether there is a problem, but also with who is in charge concerning that problem. Renewing the mind entails breaking the power of disbelief (Clinton & Scalise, 2013) therefore, if we truly believe God can heal us and we are truly remorseful, he will.

Go along with the above, I notice in AA is for those that have not fully recovered Step 1 being able to admit powerlessness over the disease (Hester & Miller, 2003 p. 170), is the hardest step for all or most all to get past. Each person, some like myself more hardheaded that the rest, just can not except being out of control of our lives. Some victims of abuse which you will meet in AA, have taken steps to gain control over their lives from the abuse and it pours over to the addiction because that person’s headstrongness is so deep it is virtually unchangeable therefor, making it a constant battle, to allow themselves to feel comfortable, with the thought they may not be able to control addiction alone. That person does not want to ever be abused again under any circumstance.

 Then to persuade that same person they are not in control of their lives; their first initial response might be “BULL”.

 As a Counselor, I would ask this person “What would you do if someone tried to hurt or abuse you today”? I might get a response like, “I would fight back and not submit out of fear”. Then, I would say, Alcohol is the abuser, stealing from you of everything that is “beautiful” such as Children, “good” such as Jobs or Happiness, and “peaceful” such as the serenity of self-perseverance. Will you be willing to fight for those things? Would you like to learn how? Would you be willing to put into practicesome ways of changing your life? Can we say a prayer and ask for help? What I may be able to plant in this person’s life today, may save their life tomorrow.

References

Mathew 19:26, (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2018 from:

            https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-All-Things-Are-Possible/

Clinton, D., & Scalise, D. (2013). Addictions and Recovery Counseling. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

 Hester, R. K., & Millier , W. R. (2003). Handbook of Alcoholism Treatment Approaches: Effective Alternitives (Third ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Robert C. DISCUSSION BOARD #2

200 WORDS

 Attending Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings have given me a broader understanding and insight into the different variables of substance use disorders (SUD).  The group that I am attending is a very engaged group who refers to God as the “Higher Power” and professes that He is the one who helps them daily to achieve the goal of sobriety.  According to Hester and Miller (2003) reveals “the hope for the hopeless condition” is revealed when the individual turns over their life to a higher power and follow “a spiritual path to recovery” (p. 3).  Many of the individuals who seized the opportunity to share in a discussion usually gave credit to God for preserving them during their journey and for creating the NA program.  Furthermore, many of them recognize their addiction as a disease that they couldn’t solve themselves.  Therefore, they have embraced the concept of spiritually surrendering and giving “up control to the Lord” as Clinton and Scalise (2013) disclosed. 

            Within counseling it is important to establish a relationship with the client in order to do a personal assessment.  According to Clinton and Scalise (2013) it is necessary for counselors who are assisting those with addictions to “address strongly the concept of building and maintaining relationships with their clients” (p. 57).  I believe it is equally important in the counseling setting to allow the individual to practice spiritual principles in order to develop a system of self-accountability and disciplines.  As the client learns to pray to God they began to depend on Him as the true fulfillment of life.  Therefore, helping one who is struggling with an addiction become aware of the deadly cycle of trying to fill a void that only God can fill, will help them jump off the roller coaster of insanity.  According to Clinton and Scalise (2013) those who are struggling with an addiction and have not found a relationship with Jesus Christ “are working to fill this vacuum with all the wrong things” (p. 57).  Therefore, it is pertinent that the counselor addresses the spiritual needs of the client before proceeding.

            My own personal worldview is based on biblical principles and values.  Therefore, I agree that the most important thing in life is having an individual discover the Creator of our purpose and being.  My philosophy is that God is the manufacturer who knows how to the creation is supposed to function.  Consequently, the creation must return to the manufacturer for instructions and repairs.  The scripture in 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things have become new” (KJV).  I believe that when an individual totally surrenders to Jesus Christ, only then will they experience that new victorious life.  According to 2 Corinthians 2:14 “thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ (KJV).

Reference

Clinton, T., & Scalise, E. (2013). The quick-reference guide to addictions and recovery counseling: 40 topics, spiritual insights, and easy-to-use action steps. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Hester, R. K., & Miller, W. R. (2003). Handbook of alcoholism treatment approaches (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Allyn & Bacon.