Because our human brains like to see the extreme I think often people picture addicts as homeless people, unemployed, living in poverty etc.
"Addicts" are (often) looked at with sympathy, sometimes accompanied by a hidden sense of "I'm better than them" self pride, and there is sometimes that nervousness that shows on peoples faces when they clearly don't know what to say or how to act when they find out that the person they have met is an addict, as if they have some sort of leprosy or something.
If you don't know already, I may as well admit it now, I am an addict, I have a problem with an addictive personality which has led me to form an addiction to something which became my escape route when stressed, angry, lonely, or any other emotional situation. It doesn't matter right now what I am addicted to, some of you know, some of you don't, but it really doesn't matter to this blog as that's not the point I'm hoping to make.
I will blog some time in the future about the different ways I have been supported and encouraged by so many people - who have amazed me with the way they have not judged - even when they hear the ugly stories that come with addiction. But before I continue, without naming names I just want to say thank you to those of you who have shown me a true glimpse of the miracle of Gods love by the way you have unconditionally supported me.
Its that support that has got me thinking and blogging tonight, as I look back at my journey and I am forced to ask the questions as to how did I get into this mess?
I have always been in churches and Christian youth groups, I have had my own personal faith since I was about 16, I have been involved in active church ministry for about 12-13 years, but somehow my secret addiction remained secret and, just like the cancer that it is, it grew and grew into something so big that its hard to escape from.
Of course I am partly responsible, and it is clear that I was betraying my faith, or as the Bible puts it, attempting to serve 2 Gods, BUT what I want to explore here is the questions........
How can/does/should the church help young people/young adults/adults to avoid the pitfalls of addictions?
How can/does/should the church help young people/young adults/adults to ask for help when/if they have an addiction?
How can/does/should the church support someone taking the journey of recovery from an addiction?
I know there are 12 step support groups such as AA, and they are extremely good at what they do, BUT what they do (in my opinion) is what the church should be doing - and if the church is to be truely a place for the broken, it needs to be a place where people are prepared to admit they are broken (if that makes sense).
Anyways I would be interested in your thoughts and experiences.
I may (or may not) blog more on my journey but I really want to ask these questions whilst I remember them.
God bless.
