Addiction Recovery Groups In Your Stake-How Are They Run?

[Calm]

The only thing I have been told about nonLDS sources of help is to be aware if the help source is accepting or dismissive of my religious beliefs and how that might affect the dynamics.

[sjdawg]

In our stake right now apparently attendance at the addiction recovery group mtg. is sagging (which could mean few have an addiction to deal with) but the counsel is to have ward council members attend the meeting to get a sense of what it is so they can refer people to it. I think that is highly inappropriate to do, just to go to watch how it all is and who attends etc. I was wondering how that meeting is working or run in your stake? 

I agree.  It is very inappropriate.   I don't think these meetings are intended to be spectator events.

[Kenngo1969]

... I also don't like the AA emphasis (which carries over into the Church's twelve-step program) that one is "powerless" without the group. ...

With due respect, Bishop, I think you need to learn more about AA.  It doesn't teach that one is powerless to overcome one's addiction "without the group."  It teaches that one is powerless to overcome one's addiction without one's Higher Power.  See Mosiah 4:19.

[Kenngo1969]

Why is it wrong to familiarize ward council members with the program?

It's not.  It simply depends on how it's done.  We had some addiction recovery missionaries come and present about it on a fifth Sunday in my ward.

[Jeanne]

Thanks so much for your replies to my questions.  I think for an LDS person who may be having problems can hopefully sit down to talk to a bishop or LDS counselor and then if needed for a specialty treatment just get the most qualified.  I would be afraid as a leader/Bishop to overstep bounds in an area where they may only have limited experience.

 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

[hearserve]

As a Bishop, I have asked my ward council to become familiar with the ARP.  The classes are available online, and there are videos that show typical sessions.  There is no need for them to attend in person, where other participants may not appreciate their attendance being known to any or all.  In my area, ARP meetings are held in various locations, and several members of my ward choose to attend in a neighboring town for confidentiality reasons.  And yes, I have referred some members to non-church programs when I thought they were more appropriate, but as mentioned, care must be taken to make sure they are in agreement with gospel principles.  When properly run, the ARP has proven to be a great blessing to several in my ward.

[rodheadlee]

Well, things have come a long way since the 1980s. I had major addiction problems with illegal drugs and I went to my new Bishop ( new ward) and confessed hoping to get a healing blessing. He more or less told me to get lost and come backed when I was no longer addicted. He did ask me if I stole to pay for my addiction. I got lost alright for a really long time.

[Kenngo1969]

Well, things have come a long way since the 1980s. I had major addiction problems with illegal drugs and I went to my new Bishop ( new ward) and confessed hoping to get a healing blessing. He more or less told me to get lost and come backed when I was no longer addicted. He did ask me if I stole to pay for my addiction. I got lost alright for a really long time.

Sorry to hear that.  The good news is, the Atonement covers both your addiction and related behavior, and your bishop's thoughtlessness.

[rodheadlee]

Sorry to hear that.  The good news is, the Atonement covers both your addiction and related behavior, and your bishop's thoughtlessness.

Yeah I'm over it, I can't even remember his name and it's caused me to be more humble towards others.

[Kenngo1969]

Yeah I'm over it, I can't even remember his name and it's caused me to be more humble towards others.

Life gave you that lemon, and you made lemonade.  Good on you!  Glad to hear it!

[Duncan]

I emailed the Bishop about it and he said it came from the Stake during Bishopric Training, so they want the ward council to attend and get a sense of what goes on so we can refer people to it. I disagree entirely with his response but I won't tell him that! 

[rpn]

The church addiction programs are not supposed to even mention what the addiction is, but to address the overall issue of addiction.   And since that is somewhat different from the typical 12 step program, I can see how confidentiality would be a smaller concern.   But I'd object to people coming to see "how the animals act".   The program isn't a zoo.  

[phaedrus ut]

The bulletin board in my stake center lists available meetings for Pornography Addiction Recovery happening 5 days per week, some days with multiple meetings, and most meetings being separate men's recovery and women's support meetings. All are run by LDS Family Services.

[Boanerges]

I think ward council members should not go just to learn about the program. It's likely they'll see somebody they know and then jump to conclusions about what he/she is addicted to and gossip about it. I don't like even having another activity in the building when the group meets because you see them come in and out.

 

In our stake we have two groups (opposite ends of the stake). One meets in our meeting house, the other at a community facility. I have heard presentations from the group leaders (I don't recall their official titles, they've been trained to do it and run the meetings). There is also info available online. It's basically a 12-step program with an LDS bent. Our SP has told us to be aware of the program so we can refer appropriate people, but he has never advocated attending just to learn about it that I know of.

[cinepro]

We used to have a pornography addiction group in our stake that met at a different location for anonymity.  When I would teach in EQ, I announced that because it was at a different location, we would pass around a carpool sign up sheet. 

Edited December 1, 2014 by cinepro

[Calm]

I would suggest writing the professionals who supervise the program through the Church site to get their opinion.

https://addictionrecovery.lds.org/?lang=eng

Or do as suggested on the site and (the link is included on the below page):

"You can also contact your local LDS Family Services office (where available) for a free consultation on how to help those you shepherd."

From the look of this page, it would seem it is clear enough what goes on that there is no real need for individual visits:

https://addictionrecovery.lds.org/leaders?lang=eng

Edited December 1, 2014 by calmoriah

[JDave]

I emailed the Bishop about it and he said it came from the Stake during Bishopric Training, so they want the ward council to attend and get a sense of what goes on so we can refer people to it. I disagree entirely with his response but I won't tell him that! 

Telling our priesthood leaders of our concerns shouldn't be a problem.  That is what we are supposed to do.  You just need to be willing to follow instructions if they hear your concerns and still want to proceed.  That is sustaining your leaders.