Arp...Addiction Recovery Program

[Bernard Gui]

http://www.lds.org/c...ldsorg?lang=eng

Mrs. Gui and I have been involved in piloting the Addiction Recovery Program, emphasis

on the support of families and loved ones of addicts. When we had our initial experiences with

loved ones in addiction, there wasn't much the Church offered in the way of help, except

to point us to Al-Anon. Now, there are LDS12-Step programs for addicts and for families and

loved ones whose lives are messed up with co-dependency. The 12 Steps are similar to

AA, but Christ centered with quotes from General Authorities and LDS scriptures in addition

to the AA resources that are available. We have learned more about the Atonement and

its practical application in this program than we have anywhere else. It is hands-on and

powerful. Hurrah!

I invite anyone who is struggling with any kind of addiction or who has had their lives turned upside

down by having an addict in the home to find the LDS ARP program near you. The Church

website has a locator. This is a huge step in the right direction.

These are effective spiritual tools and bring great blessings and healing to the victims of addiction!!

Bernard

[Avatar4321]

i havent been to one but ive familiarized myself with the materials. They truly are good and useful programs.

[sjdawg]

My in-laws were called to supervise the addiction recovery program in their ward. My concern is that they have no experience in addiction recovery and no training (other that what the church provided) in that area. My personal opinion is that this is an area best left to the experts.

[ERayR]

My in-laws were called to supervise the addiction recovery program in their ward. My concern is that they have no experience in addiction recovery and no training (other that what the church provided) in that area. My personal opinion is that this is an area best left to the experts.

Sometimes the best expert is a loving Christ centered person willing to listen.

[thesometimesaint]

sjdawg:

LDS Family Services is staffed by experts.

[Freedom]

The program is not for therapy, but to build a support group. There are therapists for one-on-one assistance, but this program is fantastic. It is not just for the addict, but also for loved ones of addicts. I think even using the term addict is misleading. It is for anybody with any personal struggle that is preventing them from reaching their potential. If you suffer from ADHD, FAS or any other condition, I strongly recommend ARP. I have seen people with severe low self esteem participate and have made lasting friendships and found renewed purpose in life.

Bernard, you are providing a service that will change and save lives. So many people with addictions are burdened with guilt and shame, thinking that they are sinful or unworthy; what they often have is an un-diagnosed problem, and they are battling with the side affects rather than the root cause.

[DH]

[self-edited -- Never mind, I was being too snarky!]

[grannysue]

We have two people in our family who have been in recovery for years, so I am acquainted with AA. My problem with the ARP in our area is that they have lumped all addictions (except pornography) together. In other words, people addicted to food or shopping are in the same meeting with people addicted to drugs and alcohol.

I understand that the underlying issues are the same, but the experiences of these people are so different that the groups have not been as successful as they should be. In fact, the ARP in our stake was just disbanded, which is sad. (I am the one who got it going in our stake, but it never filled the need I was hoping it would.)

"/

[The Nehor]

We have two people in our family who have been in recovery for years, so I am acquainted with AA. My problem with the ARP in our area is that they have lumped all addictions (except pornography) together. In other words, people addicted to food or shopping are in the same meeting with people addicted to drugs and alcohol.

I've heard the opposite, that it helps. The guy running the program in my stake is a friend on mine and a counselor in a Bishopric. His theory is that the fractured nature of addiction programs everywhere else is a symptom of the "I'm better then you....." mentality. When drug addicts tried to get into AA the AA people didn't want them because they weren't "drug users" like those messed up people.